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One Donor Can Save Up to Three Lives

New Jersey Department of Health Principal Deputy Commissioner Jackie Cornell will visit the American Red Cross Central New Jersey Blood Donation Center in Princeton on Friday, July 27 to donate blood amid a national blood shortage and encourage New Jerseyans to give blood, if able.

Blood donations are needed year-round but especially during the summer months for many reasons. Students are on summer break, resulting in schools and colleges not scheduling blood drives. In addition, summer holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day result in a lower number of donors. Businesses are also less likely to schedule blood drives due to employee vacations.

“A single unit of blood from one donor can save up to three lives,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “The nationwide blood shortage is the perfect opportunity for people to roll up their sleeves and make a significant difference in someone else’s life. Every donation is important.”

The event on Friday will begin at 1 p.m. at the American Red Cross Central New Jersey Blood Donation Center, 707 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Rosie Taravella, CEO of the American Red Cross New Jersey Region, will attend along with staff from the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA).

“There is no artificial substitute for blood,” said Cornell, who has type O positive blood. “We are encouraging donors to explore a range of donation options by contacting the nearest blood center.” Visit the American Red Cross website here to search for blood drives in your area.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion due to illness, to treat an injury, or during surgery, according to the American Red Cross. While 40 percent of people in the United States are eligible to give blood, less than 10 percent do. That number is even lower for New Jersey, where only 3.6 percent of eligible people donate.

“The Red Cross currently faces an emergency blood shortage and has issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donors to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatment they need,” Taravella said. “Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. More donations, like Principal Deputy Commissioner Cornell’s this Friday, are needed to help replenish the blood supply.”

New Jersey hospitals rely on licensed blood collection facilities to supply them with blood and blood products such as platelets. Blood transfusions are needed daily due to the needs of cancer patients, accident and burn victims, mothers delivering babies and newborns, surgery patients, transplant patients and those patients requiring chronic transfusions.

Additional blood drives are held to help meet the demand, and hospitals in rare circumstances may even “import” blood from other states if supplies reach critical levels. American Red Cross blood drives are being held every day to help meet the demand and to ensure that blood is available at New Jersey hospitals when patients need it.

“Blood donation is an opportunity for every New Jerseyan to be a hero. A half-hour of your time, and a pint of blood, could literally save the life of an accident victim, new mom or cancer patient," said Cathleen Bennett, NJHA President and CEO.  "I also urge employers to join in this important cause by hosting a workplace blood drive and supporting good health for the people of New Jersey.”

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