Region drops to 3-day blood supply level

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey Blood Services is calling for more blood donors, due to an "alarming" drop in blood donations over the holiday weekend, a press release from the nonprofit said. NJBS announced an emergency earlier this month, as the blood supply remained critically low. The region’s blood supply stands at a 3-day level, which is well below the ideal level of 5 to 7 days.

Hospitals and patients, the release adds, rely upon a "steady flow" of volunteer donors to receive life-saving donations, but the recent holiday weekend coupled with school breaks and increased travel appear to have made blood donation less of a priority. In addition, the past two years have increased volatility in the blood supply, as the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult to host blood drives.

“We highly encourage all who are able to donate today and help us combat this shortage before we head into the summer months," Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New Jersey Blood Services, said in the release.

It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients; accident, burn, or trauma victims; transplant recipients; surgery patients; chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many others.

To make an appointment at a blood drive near you, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.