Blood donations urgently needed
New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, will be conducting a blood drive Jan. 20 at Dunkin' Donuts, 285 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to a press release from NJBS, the winter is always a critical time of the year for blood collections. Traditionally donations decline during the holiday season and increased January collections are needed to replenish blood supplies. At the same time, bad winter weather may lead to the cancellation of or reduced attendance at scheduled blood drives.

While NJBS has not yet cut back on shipments to the 60 area hospitals it supplies with blood products and services, it is preparing for future emergency needs.

Qualified blood donors should be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Donors must present a photograph or signed identification and know their Social Security number. People over 75 years old may donate blood if they present a physician's note.

Nationwide, 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet only 2 percent actually give, according to the press release. Every day in the United States approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities to treat patients with cancer and other diseases, to support organ transplant recipients and accident and trauma victims.

"When you consider that every three seconds someone in this country needs blood, you can better understand the urgency of our needs," said Chuck Grossenbacher, executive director of NJBS.

Grossenbacher said that currently there is a shortage of O Negative and B Negative blood types. He urged anyone who can help to make an appointment to donate blood.

For more information and to make an appointment call (800) 933-BLOOD (2566).