Blood Donations Needed Now More Than Ever In Summer

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - Summer is typically not a good time for the American Red Cross.

Donations drop sharply after Memorial Day, when summer schedules, vacations and school breaks lead to a decline in donations.

"Accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break," a release from the organization said. "Patients need blood every minute, every day."

Just ask Ramona Johnson. She was 10 years old in the summer of 1973. She fell off some swings and began bleeding badly from a seven-inch gash in her leg. She needed an emergency transfusion by the time she reached the hospital. The transfusion saved her life.

Johnson began donating blood ten years ago, as a way of giving back.

“A little voice told me that this would be a great way to give back,” she said. “I have been faithfully donating every eight weeks since.”

Ocean County residents can help by scheduling an appointment to make sure that hospitals and patients have the blood they need over the summer.

You can make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Anyone who donates blood or platelets from now through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal.

More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.) Anyone donates blood from May 25-29, will receive an exclusive Red Cross branded T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 22 to June 15 in Ocean County:
Brick
6/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Ocean County Library, Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road

Manahawkin
6/12/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Beach Haven Moose Lodge No. 1575, 120 Route 72

New Egypt
6/6/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Assumption, 76 Evergreen Road

Seaside Heights
5/25/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Seaside Heights Community Center, 1000 Bay Blvd.
6/4/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Moose Lodge No. 399, 1801 Bay Blvd.

Toms River
6/6/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Days Hotel by Wyndham, 290 Route 37 E.

Tuckerton
6/14/2018: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Red Men Pohatcong Tribe No. 61, 145 W. Main St.

Image: Courtesy of the American Red Cross