RWJBarnabas Health Makes Call for Blood Donations; Urges Donors to Return to Address Emergency Shortages
Long Branch, NJ, August 3, 2022– As the surge of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey impacts volunteer blood donations and causes alarmingly low inventories of certain blood types at hospitals throughout the state, Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) is urging support of its community blood drive on August 10th and 11th at Monmouth University.
MMC is a facility of the RWJBarnabas Health system, which is urging everyone to donate blood and platelets to help overcome a national blood shortage this summer. During the summer months, the blood supply historically drops precipitously. With schools and colleges closed, and people away on vacation, summer is always a challenge, but this year the struggles are even greater because of the lingering effects of COVID-19.
“Supply of type O blood in particular is extremely low, and the help of our community is desperately needed,” says Eric Carney, President and CEO of MMC and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus. “The results of these blood drives will make a significant difference in our patients’ lives by increasing our Blood Bank inventory, a boost that is very much needed.”
MMC is partnering with Monmouth University for community blood and platelet drives on Wednesday, August 10th, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Thursday, August 11th, from noon to 6 p.m. The drive will be held at the Rebecca Stafford Student Center, Anacon Hall, at the university’s West Long Branch campus. All donors will receive a free gift and raffle chances.
Lifesaving blood donations are given to patients in a wide range of circumstances including cancer care, trauma events such as car accidents and home accidents, childbirth, and mass casualty events.
“We need New Jersey residents to give the gift of blood this summer as blood supplies have yet to catch up since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sally Wells, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Blood Services Business Development Liaison. “Our hospitals rely on the support of individuals to provide much of the blood we use, and we need your help now to address this blood shortage and prevent potential delays in lifesaving medical care for patients in New Jersey.”
Masks will be required at both drives, and medical eligibility questions can be answered by calling 732-235-8100, ext. 248. Appointments are encouraged and available at rwjuhdonorclub.org or by calling 732-235-8100 ext. 221 Bring a photo ID and be sure to eat and drink prior to donating.