The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is urging residents to donate blood as the region faces a critical shortage. This call comes during National Blood Donor Month, with officials highlighting that each donation can help up to three people who need transfusions for surgeries, emergencies, or illness treatment.
Governor Phil Murphy has recognized January as Blood Donor Month in New Jersey through an official proclamation. Blood banks in the state often experience fewer donations during winter, which coincides with increased demand for blood products. Recently, New Jersey Blood Services declared a blood emergency after donations dropped by 40% in recent weeks. Supplies of O-negative and B-negative blood types are now at less than a two-day supply across their service area.
“Each time an individual makes the simple but profoundly important choice to donate blood, they are helping to save the lives of people they may never meet,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “Our health care system relies on these everyday heroes, and I encourage all eligible New Jerseyans to schedule their first donation today and commit to donating blood at least four times in 2026. Together, we can prevent blood shortages.”
Fewer than 5% of eligible residents participate in a blood drive annually, even though someone in the United States needs a transfusion every two seconds. Type O-negative is especially needed because it is used universally in trauma cases.
Donated blood also supports prehospital transfusions by paramedics near injury sites when time is critical. In 2024, NJDOH issued waivers allowing EMS teams to administer whole blood before reaching hospitals—a practice supported by emergency medical groups.
Blood products cannot be manufactured and have limited shelf life; therefore, maintaining an adequate supply depends on volunteer donors.
There are several ways individuals can contribute:
– Whole blood donation takes about an hour and can be done every 56 days.
– Platelet donation helps cancer patients and burn victims; it can be given every seven days.
– Plasma donation is important for trauma care and can be donated every 28 days.
– Double red cell donation allows two units of red cells per visit and is possible every 112 days.
Residents aged at least 17 (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and generally healthy may qualify to donate. More information on appointments can be found through organizations such as American Red Cross Services, Hunterdon Healthcare, Miller-Keystone Blood Center, New York Blood Center, RWJBarnabas Health, and Vitalant Blood Services.
The NJDOH’s Blood Bank Licensing and Regulatory Compliance Program oversees donor safety and ensures safe collection practices throughout New Jersey.
