Burlington County is partnering with the American Red Cross to hold another life-saving blood drive in response to the nationwide shortage.
Appointments are now being made for the county’s next drive on May 2 at the Burlington County Human Services Building, 795 Woodlane Road, Westampton.
The drive will begin at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. It is open to Burlington County residents, students and workers. All donors will receive a $10 e-gift card and be entered for a chance to win a new travel trailer camper.
Residents interested in donating can book an appointment online at: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time.
Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson said the May event was being held in direct response to the critically low blood shortage and forecasts that supplies will likely become further depleted this summer.
“There’s a big concern that the shortages caused by the pandemic could become even worse this summer,” said Hopson, who is the Commissioners’ liaison to the Department of Human Services and Health Department. “We need to make up for an expected loss and get some new donors to help replenish supplies.”
The last drive hosted by the county at the Human Services Building resulted in double the Red Cross’s participation goal. More than 40 units was collected, enough to potentially save 120 lives.
“We were thrilled that so many county employees and residents donated during our last blood drive. We hope even more people give blood this time as the need is still great,” Hopson said. “If you can’t make it out to our drive on May 2, there are plenty of others that are scheduled in locations throughout South Jersey. We’re also encouraging residents to log onto the Red Cross website and look for additional donation sites and nearby blood drives soon.”
To find another blood drive or donation site, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/.
