Winter weather leads to need for blood donations locally, and community members are urged to donate at blood drives around the region.
By Krista Cerminaro
With recent snowstorms and power outages sweeping the region, the American Red Cross is in need of local blood donations.
On March 15, a blood drive will be held at the Free Public Library of Monroe Township from 2 to 7 p.m., and community members are invited to stop by and donate.
According to American Red Cross external communications manager Alana Mauger, the Penn-Jersey blood services region — which serves all of New Jersey, Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania — must collect around 800 units of blood and platelets every day to meet its patient demand.
However, snowstorms and power outages that took place in the last couple weeks have had a negative effect on the amount of blood they received, according to Mauger.
“Every winter, blood collection is a challenge, and for a lot of reasons — weather, people are sick — this year was a particularly hard flu season — so we always go into January already kind of down. We see a decline in donors between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, and then we hit January, and that’s when we get the snow, and the flu and things like that. So, we were at an urgent level of need, and then we actually kind of rebounded, and we were doing OK in February,” Mauger said. “Now we’re leading into a situation where it might not be a national crisis, but it’s certainly a local one.”
Last week alone, Mauger said they lost 1,000 units that went uncollected because of power outages and weather.
“That just goes to show you how one day can impact our entire supply, and so now we’re behind by that, and now — we really need to encourage people to come out and donate,” Mauger said.
Mauger also noted they’re looking for donations of all blood types, and donors don’t need to know their blood type prior to donating.
“We always are in need of type O negative — that’s the universal blood type — and that’s the one where during traumas in emergency rooms, and in emergency situations, doctors can reach for that when they don’t have time,” Mauger said. “That’s always an important need because it can be used so universally, but right now we do need all blood types.”
According to Mauger, local patients’ needs in the Penn-Jersey blood services region are given top priority.
“First, we make sure that our patient needs are met. However, because we’re a national network, if there is a situation somewhere across the country, we’re able to get the blood where it’s needed most. But, 80 percent of the blood typically does stay in the blood region,” Mauger said.
Mauger explained it only takes minutes to sign up. When donors arrive, they’ll be given materials to read, followed by a brief health history and mini physical. Once you qualify, the donation process only takes about eight to 10 minutes. Additionally, snacks are provided afterward.
To make an appointment at the library, call (800) 733–2767. The library is located at 713 Marsha Ave. in Williamstown.
According to the American Red Cross website, other upcoming local opportunities near Williamstown include:
• Monday, March 26 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Congregation B’nai Tikvah-Beth Israel, located at 115 E. Holly Ave. in Sewell.
• Tuesday, March 27 from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Fountains at Cedar Parke, located at 114 Hayes Mills Road in Atco.
• Thursday, March 29 from 2 to 7 p.m. at South County Regional Branch, located at 35 Cooper Folly Road in Atco.
• Saturday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dunkin Donuts, located at 300 Egg Harbor Road in Sewell.
• Monday, April 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Glassboro VFW Post 679, located at 275 Wilmer St. in Glassboro.
• Wednesday, April 4 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, located at 481 Delsea Drive in Sewell, or from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Virtua Washington Township, located at 239 Hurffville Crosskeys Road in Sewell.
• Thursday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rowan University Recreation Center, located at 201 Mullica Hill Road in Glassboro.
