Crisis Looms in New Jersey – Your “Free” Donation Will Save Lives!
Right now we are facing a frightening shortage of something that only people can supply – blood. The Central Jersey Blood Center (CJBC), Shrewsbury, is urging everyone, 17 years of age and up, to give a donation of blood as soon as possible.
Alyssa Drown, the marketing manager of CJBC, said that local and national blood supplies are dangerously low. One of the reasons for the shortage is increased demand due to automobile accidents, trauma incidents, burn victims, chemotherapy, heart surgeries, and organ transplants, which require large amounts of blood and blood products. Statistics show that one in three people will need a blood transfusion at some time in their life.
The Central Jersey Blood Center, 494 Sycamore Avenue, Shrewsbury, N.J., a community-based, nonprofit blood collection and distribution organization, strives to save lives every single day by providing safe blood products that go to local New Jersey hospitals. One person’s donation can save three lives. No substitution exists for human blood; it cannot be manufactured!
Director of Donor Relations, Michael Leviton, said, “At this point, the need for blood donations is an emergency. We are appealing to everyone to make donating blood a priority. For those who are donating blood, thank you. It is appreciated and needed.”
Blood donations can be made at one of three donor centers: Howell, Toms River, and Shrewsbury. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Call 1-888-71-BLOOD (25663) to schedule an appointment or for questions. For more information, visit www.cjbcblood.org or contact Alyssa Drown at 518-569-1841.
Donor Centers:
Shrewsbury (732- 842-5750) Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Howell 4068 Route 9 South, Howell Plaza Shopping Center (732 901-0720) Monday and Wednesday, Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and Sundays.
Toms River: 1256 Indian Head Road & Route 9 South, Indian Head Shopping Plaza (Next to Pathmark), (732-349-3110) Monday, Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.