Community Corner
Blood Drive Happening In Chatham On Saturday
The New York Blood Center says the region has only between a two or three day blood supply in its banks.
CHATHAM, NJ — With blood banks experiencing critical shortages, the New York Blood Center has a drive coming up in Chatham on Saturday, hosted by the Chatham Emergency Squad, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on 300 Shunpike Road.
According to its website, the New York Blood Center reports there’s a drop in donations because of the Delta variant, with the region experiencing a “Blood Emergency,” donations having reportedly plunged and now hovering at pandemic-peak levels.
To donate, visit www.nybc.org/njdrive, then enter sponsor code 61961 to schedule a time to donate. Walk-in appointments will also be accepted “as long as social distancing can be maintained,” according to information posted about the event on Chatham Borough’s social media.
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Regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, every potential donor must mask up when coming to donate blood. Additionally, each person will:
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- Have their temperature checked
- State that they are symptom-free or recovered for 14 days or more from COVID-19
Donors cannot give blood if they have not recovered from COVID-19 and have had symptoms over the last 14 days. They also can’t donate if restricted by self-quarantining.
The facility additionally can’t test people for COVID-19.
According to the New York Blood Center, donations of whole blood can be made every eight weeks or 56 days. Automated Red Cell Donations or “Alyx,” which uses a smaller needle and separates red blood cells, with blood returned to the donor in the process, can be given every 16 weeks or 112 days.
The Alyx donation process allows two units to be donated at the same time, which can help two people, including: at-risk infants, trauma patients, people in need of blood because of surgery, accident and burn victims and those who have cancer or are receiving chemotherapy.
For more information about the New York Blood Center, visit www.nybc.org.
Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.
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