Temple to host blood drive

MARLBORO - The Marlboro Jewish Center/Congregation Ohev Shalom, School Road West, will hold its 30th annual blood drive on June 17 from 6-10 p.m. In order to donate blood, individuals must be over the age of 17 and have a minimum weight of 120 pounds. Advance registration is requested and may be made by calling Isabel Jacob at 732-536-4859.

Jacob, of Marlboro, has organized the twice-yearly blood drive since the fall of 1978. It all began when a fellow congregant spoke to her about an upcoming heart surgery he was scheduled to undergo. The man had concerns about the availability of blood, which inspired Jacob to organize a blood drive at the temple. The first blood drive brought in 75 people, Jacob recalled.

Jacob said one unit of blood from an individual can save the lives of three people since the plasma and platelets in the donated blood can be divided as needed among patients.

The event at theMarlboro Jewish Center is held with the assistance of the Central Jersey Blood Center, Shrewsbury, which has provided all of the hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties with blood for 41 years.

Jacob said the entire process of donating blood- registration, donation and relaxing afterward - takes about 45 minutes.