Paramus Hospital Addresses 'Critically Low' Blood Supplies With Drive

PARAMUS, NJ — A local hospital is responding to an "urgent need" for blood in the community by sponsoring a blood drive later this month, a spokesperson said.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has partnered with blood service provider Vitalant to host a blood drive on May 30, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the Paramus hospital's vaccination annex.

“Blood supplies remain critically low, and we encourage our community to join our many staff members who will be donating blood during our drive,” Bergen New Bridge president and CEO Deborah Visconi said. “Every donation saves lives, and it will take all of us working together to make sure we have sufficient supplies for those in need.”

A spokesperson with nonprofit Vitalant said there is a need for all blood types, particularly type-O donations, and platelets (type of blood cell), in particular, are also constantly in demand.

"The most commonly transfused blood type is type O," spokesperson Jaelyn Parker said. "More of the population is O-positive than any other type, while O-negative is universally compatible, making it vital for trauma and other emergency care."

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, not just for elective surgeries and planned treatments but for unexpected emergencies, too — according to Parker and Bergen New Bridge Laboratory Director Ilham Atir.

Blood donations — one of which can save up to three lives — can yield a variety of products, including red cells, plasma and platelets. Platelets can help cancer patients, or people who have blood disorders or are undergoing certain surgeries or transplants, Parker and Atir said.

Donors at the May 30 drive will receive a Target gift card and a special appreciation gift. Each donor must also weigh at least 110 pounds, bring identification, and eat and drink plenty of water before and afterward, the hospital said in a release.

Although the need for blood is constant, only about 3% of age-eligible people donate yearly, lab director Atir said.

"Donating is simple, fast and convenient," he added. "...(the) process can take as little as 45 minutes of the donor's time but can make a lifelong difference for someone else."

Appointments are strongly recommended and can be scheduled by calling 1.877.258.4825 or by using this link - https://bit.ly/42FbiOe.