Donors Needed After Snowstorms Cancel Blood Drives

The day after Christmas, Bridgewater was brought to a standstill as almost a foot of snow fell on the town—and New Jersey Blood Services saw almost 2,000 units of blood disappear.

With that storm, and the recent one at the beginning of January, the organization, which is a division of the New York Blood Center, has had to cancel several blood drives, amounting to a loss of 1,600 units of blood in December and a loss of another 1,350 units in January.

But the New Jersey Blood Services is hoping to rectify that with several blood drives around the state and two coming up in Bridgewater.

According to Jan Zepka, manager of community relations for the New Jersey Blood Services, donations during this time of the year are historically low, and the cancellations because of the snowstorms are not helping.

“Usually donations are low now because schools are in recess, and people don’t come in during the holidays,” she said. “And people have colds or the flu.”

“We normally collect 25 percent of the donations from the schools,” she added.

And now the organization needs to make up for these losses.

“This has put us in a critical deficit,” Zepka said. “We presently have less than a two-day supply of O negative blood, and that’s the most universal.”

The organization generally ensures it has a five-day supply, Zepka said.

“This year has just been worse because of the cancellations at the beginning of the season,” she said.

And according to a release from New Jersey Blood Services, the shelf life of platelets is only five days, while the shelf life of red blood cells is 42 days. The release states that about one in seven people who enter the hospital will need blood, and it is used in surgeries , emergencies and care of cancer patients.

So to help increase the supplies, the New Jersey Blood Services will be continuing its monthly blood drive at the on Union Avenue Jan. 24 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All donors at the Elks will receive free AMC movie tickets after they donate.

“We usually collect about 80 units of blood there every month,” Zepka said. “The donors there are very conscientious.”

Another blood drive is being held Jan. 26 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the on Country Club Road, as well as a private corporate one on Feb. 9 through in Bridgewater.

For those looking to host their own blood drives or to make an appointment, Zepka said, they can call 1-800-933-2566.

To be eligible to donate, Zepka said, donors must be 16 years old with parental consent, or 17 years old without it. Those over 75 years of age must have a note from their doctor saying they are healthy enough to donate.

Donors must also be at least 110 pounds, and not be sick with a cold, flu or other illnesses.

“Whatever illness that can be passed on goes through the blood,” Zepka said.

But with the snow cancelling drives, Zepka said that now more than ever, the organization is looking for donors.

“Only 2 percent of people who are eligible actually give,” she said. “But blood is needed every single day.”

For more information, call 1-800-933-2566, or visit the website at njbloodcenter.org.