Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus is partnering on January 6^th with Bikur Cholim and The Lakewood Scoop to promote the critical need for donors. RWJBarnabas Health urges everyone to donate blood and platelets to help overcome a national blood shortage this winter. Blood collection in New Jersey is down more than 25 percent since late summer, compounding the effect that the COVID-19 lock downs had on reduced donations in 2020. Life-saving 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. All blood types are needed, especially Types O and B.

“We need New Jersey residents to give the gift of blood as supplies have yet to catch up since the height of the pandemic,” said Sally Wells, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Blood Services Business Development Liaison. “There are less blood drives being organized at workplaces, schools, houses of worship, and community organizations. 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.”

“Bikur Cholim urges the community to step-up to this emergent call in the recruitment of blood donors,” explains Rabbi Yehuda Kaszirer of Bikur Cholim. “There is an unprecedented blood shortage at the hospitals, as well as the entire region. Remember, that your blood donations also stays within our region to help our neighbors in need.”

RWJBarnabas Health is calling for blood donors of all types, especially type O, the universal blood type, and platelet donors. To make an appointment at a fixed RWJBH Donor Room or to find a blood drive location near you, please visit: https://www.rwjuhdonorclub.org. or call 732-235-8100 ext. 221.

Donors must be at least 16-years old (16 -year-olds require written parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16-years old). Donors must also present photo identification at the time of donation.

The Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Blood Drive has rigorous safety protocols in place to protect all donors. These include temperature checks of staff and donors, required face coverings, social distancing requirements in waiting areas and donation spaces, as well as strict sanitary protocols including disinfection of donor areas. Donors must also wear masks or face covering.

To organize a blood drive in your community, please call Sally Wells at 732-558-4983 or email [email protected].

[Press Release]