New Jersey’s Blood Supply Critically Low [AUDIO]

January is typically a time of year when the blood supply is low in New Jersey and across the nation. This year State Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary O’Dowd is asking residents to do something about it.

“Nine out of ten people will need blood at some point in their lives,” said O’Dowd. “People can search for a list of hospitals and blood centers to find a place to donate near their community. We’re also asking that employers consider planning blood drives throughout the year. It makes it convenient for employees, it specifically asks people to donate blood and it makes people aware of the need.”

“New Jersey is one of the few states that has to import blood to handle our shortages,” said O’Dowd. “If we could increase the number of blood donors to just the national average of five percent, we could have a self-sustaining blood supply.”

Sixty percent of New Jersey adults are eligible to donate blood and only 3.6% actually do. “Donating blood is easy to do and one donation can save three lives,” said O’Dowd.

A list of Blood Donation Centers and Hospital Blood Collection Sites is available here and here