Health System Announces Dates in January, February as Flu, Other Disruptions Challenge Blood Banks
WEST ORANGE, NJ—January 15, 2026—With the tristate area blood supplies reaching critical levels, RWJBarnabas Health is launching a series of blood drives across New Jersey to replenish dwindling reserves, mitigate shortages, and meet patient demand. Although blood supplies generally run lower at the beginning of the year, the current shortage has been exacerbated by a highly active flu season, with more people in emergency rooms, and donors kept away from blood drives.
RWJBarnabas Health is hosting a series of blood drives throughout January and February to encourage eligible donors of all blood types to make lifesaving blood and platelet donations, which are needed for surgeries, trauma care, childbirth, cancer care, and organ transplants, among other scenarios.
January is designated Blood Donor Month, and according to New Jersey Blood Services, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, leaving more than 200 hospitals across the region with less than a two-day supply of blood.
“Winter is always a difficult season for blood donation, but this year the need is especially dire,” said Sally Wells, Business Development and Community Liaison for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Blood Donor Services. “Severe winter weather, record seasonal illness, and the holidays falling midweek during peak collection days have created a perfect storm for fueling the significant decline in donations. Our hospitals rely on blood donations to provide lifesaving care for our patients. We are asking anyone eligible to donate to do so—every donation makes a real and immediate difference.”
Donating blood typically takes less than an hour, and one donation can help save up to three lives.
A full list of upcoming blood drives includes:
- January 15, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Conference Room 5, Jersey City, NJ
- January 21, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Roma Café, Hamilton, NJ
- January 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark Strong Lobby, Newark, NJ
- January 29, 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.: Maternal Health Blood Drive at Bradley Gardens Vol. Fire Co., Catering Hall, 24 Old York Road, Bridgewater, NJ
- February 4, 12:00- 6:00 p.m.: Rahway Fitness and Wellness, 2121 Lamberts Mill Road, Scotch Plains, NJ
- February 12, 1–7 p.m.: Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, 600 River Avenue, Patio and Conference Rooms, Lakewood, NJ
- February 14, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Raritan Valley Road Runners @ NJIC3 (Interfaith Center for Cancer Care), Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19 South 2nd Avenue, Highland Park, NJ
- February 17, 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.: Bradley Beach Community @ Bradley Beach Fire Department, 815 Main Street, Bradley Beach, NJ
- February 26, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Rutgers University, The Commons @ The Yard, 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Donors must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16 years old), and present photo identification. Donors aged 16 and 17 require written parental consent.
To make an appointment at a fixed site RWJBarnabas Health Donor Center, or to find a blood drive location near you, please visit rwjuhdonorclub.org or call 732-235-8100 ext. 221.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit rwjbh.org.
Contact:
Carrie Cristello
908-347-3157
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org