RWJBarnabas Health has announced a series of blood drives across New Jersey in response to critical shortages in the region’s blood supply. The health system is organizing donation events throughout January and February, aiming to replenish reserves that have been depleted due to an active flu season and increased emergency room visits.
The organization is encouraging eligible donors of all blood types to participate, noting that donations are essential for surgeries, trauma care, childbirth, cancer treatment, and organ transplants. Blood supplies typically run low at the start of the year, but this year’s situation has been made worse by seasonal illnesses and disruptions caused by winter weather.
According to New Jersey Blood Services, current blood donations are nearly 40% below what hospitals require, leaving more than 200 hospitals with less than a two-day supply.
“Winter is always a difficult season for blood donation, but this year the need is especially dire,” said Sally Wells, Business Development and Community Liaison for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Blood Donor Services. “Severe winter weather, record seasonal illness, and the holidays falling midweek during peak collection days have created a perfect storm for fueling the significant decline in donations. Our hospitals rely on blood donations to provide lifesaving care for our patients. We are asking anyone eligible to donate to do so—every donation makes a real and immediate difference.”
A single blood donation can help save up to three lives and usually takes less than an hour.
Upcoming blood drive locations include Jersey City Medical Center (January 15), Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (January 21), Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (January 28), Bradley Gardens Vol. Fire Co. (January 29), Rahway Fitness and Wellness (February 4), Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (February 12), Reformed Church of Highland Park (February 14), Bradley Beach Fire Department (February 17), and Rutgers University’s The Commons @ The Yard (February 26).
Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if age 16), and bring photo identification. Written parental consent is required for donors aged 16 or 17.
Appointments can be made at RWJBarnabas Health Donor Centers or by visiting rwjuhdonorclub.org or calling 732-235-8100 ext. 221.
RWJBarnabas Health serves over five million people annually as New Jersey’s largest academic health system. It operates fourteen hospitals with more than nine thousand affiliated physicians across seven hundred patient care locations. The organization also works with community partners on food security, housing initiatives, economic opportunities for vulnerable populations, and has a major partnership with Rutgers University through its Cancer Institute and medical school programs.
