Red Cross urges New Jersey residents to donate blood ahead of holidays, announces upcoming blood drives

NEW JERSEY — The American Red Cross is urging New Jersey residents to donate blood or platelets ahead of the holiday season, when busy schedules and seasonal activities can make it more difficult to maintain a reliable blood supply for patients in need.

Donors of all blood types are encouraged to schedule appointments, particularly those with type O blood, which the organization says is especially needed.

The Red Cross said November and December can be challenging months for blood collection as donors balance their regular appointments with holiday travel, shopping and family activities.

To encourage donations, the Red Cross is partnering with the television game show Wheel of Fortune to offer special incentives to donors who give blood or platelets between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6.

Those who donate during that period will receive an exclusive Red Cross and Wheel of Fortune oversized mug, while supplies last. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night trip for two to Los Angeles, including attendance at a Wheel of Fortune taping.

Additional information about the promotion is available at RedCrossBlood.org/WheelofFortune.

The Red Cross is also offering free A1C testing to successful blood donors during November in recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month. Donors may receive one A1C test result per calendar year and should not fast before donating.

The organization is encouraging residents to schedule appointments now rather than waiting until the holidays, emphasizing that blood and platelet donations are needed throughout the year.

Upcoming blood drives throughout New Jersey

The American Red Cross has announced the following blood donation opportunities across New Jersey through Dec. 6.

Northern New Jersey

Bergen County

• Carlstadt: Nov. 27, noon to 5 p.m., Carlstadt Civic Center, 425 Fourth St.
• Leonia: Nov. 17, 1 to 6 p.m., Presbyterian Church in Leonia, 181 Fort Lee Road.
• Montvale: Nov. 17, 2 to 7 p.m., Pascack Hills High School, 225 W. Grand Ave.
• Paramus: Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Woman’s Club of Paramus, 65 W. Ridgewood Ave.
• Ridgewood: Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ridgewood YMCA, 112 Oak St.
• Wyckoff: Nov. 12, 2 to 7 p.m., Cedar Hill Church, 422 Cedar Hill Ave.

Essex County

• Millburn: Dec. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Millburn High School, 462 Millburn Ave.
• Montclair: Dec. 1, noon to 5 p.m., Bnai Keshet, 99 S. Fullerton Ave.
• Newark: Dec. 3, noon to 5 p.m., Newark Liberty International Airport, Terminal C.
• Nutley: Nov. 17, 2 to 7 p.m., Nutley Masonic Lodge No. 25, 175 Chestnut St.

Hudson County

• Bayonne: Dec. 1, 1 to 6 p.m., Peninsula Lodge No. 99 F&AM, 888 Avenue C.

Morris County

• Chatham: Nov. 25 and Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Long Hill Chapel, 525 Shunpike Road.
• Chatham Township: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chatham High School, 255 Lafayette Ave.
• Flanders: Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Flanders Fire & Rescue Squad, 27 Main St.
• Madison: Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road.
• Morristown: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 70 Maple Ave.
• Mount Olive: Dec. 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Amazon DNJ7, 81 International Drive South.
• Randolph: Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Iglesia Alianza, 12 Emery Ave.
• Succasunna: Nov. 16, 2 to 7 p.m., Roxbury Senior Center, 72 Eyland Ave.

Passaic County

• Haledon: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Haledon Municipal Building, 510 Belmont Ave.
• Hawthorne: Dec. 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Louis Bay 2nd Library, 345 Lafayette Ave.
• Ringwood: Nov. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ringwood Borough Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 169 Stonetown Road.

Sussex County

• Hamburg: Nov. 23, 2 to 7 p.m., Hamburg School, 30 Linwood Ave.

Central New Jersey

Hunterdon County

• Flemington: Dec. 2, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Hunterdon County Library, 314 Route 12, Building 3.
• High Bridge: Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Host Lodge No. 6, 2 Ridge Road.

Mercer County

• Hamilton: Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Robert Wood Johnson Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road.
• Princeton: Dec. 4, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The Hun School of Princeton, 176 Edgerstoune Road.
• Robbinsville: Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Robbinsville High School, 155 Robbinsville Edinburg Road.
• Titusville: Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Johnson & Johnson Titusville Campus, 1125 Trenton-Harbourton Road.

Middlesex County

• East Brunswick: Nov. 16, noon to 5 p.m., Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 151 Milltown Road.
• Monroe Township: Nov. 21, 10:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza.
• North Brunswick: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., Union Lodge No. 19 F&AM, 60 Cedar Ave.
• Piscataway: Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., AIMS Education Building, 4500 New Brunswick Ave.
• South Plainfield: Nov. 27, noon to 5 p.m., American Legion Chaumont Post No. 243, 243 Oak Tree Ave.

Monmouth County

• Allentown: Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hope Fire Company, 82 County Road 526.
• Brielle: Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brielle Sports Club, 629 Higgins Ave.
• Freehold: Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Olive Branch Masonic Lodge No. 16, 2 Dutch Lane.
• Freehold: Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monmouth County Agricultural Building, 4000 Kozloski Road.
• Holmdel: Nov. 24, 2 to 7 p.m., Holmdel Senior/Community Center, 6 Crawfords Corner Road.
• Wall: Nov. 27, noon to 5 p.m., Promise Church, 2649 E. Hurley Pond Road.

Ocean County

• Bayville: Nov. 19, noon to 5 p.m., VFW Post 9503, 383 Veterans Blvd.
• Lakehurst: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., Lakehurst Community Center, 207 Center St.
• Little Egg Harbor: Nov. 23, noon to 5 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Community Center, 319 W. Calabreeze Way.
• Manahawkin: Nov. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., Beach Haven Moose Lodge 1575, 120 Route 72.
• Toms River: Nov. 18 and Dec. 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Days Hotel by Wyndham Toms River, 290 Route 37 East.
• Toms River: Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Knights of Columbus 4969, 113 Tennyson Ave.

Somerset County

• Basking Ridge: Nov. 30, 1 to 6 p.m., Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mount Airy Road.
• Basking Ridge: Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave.
• Bedminster: Nov. 24, noon to 6 p.m., Clarence Dillon Public Library, 2336 Lamington Road.
• Bernardsville: Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bernardsville Library, 1 Anderson Hill Road.
• Hillsborough: Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hillsborough YMCA, 19 E. Mountain St.
• Manville: Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Manville Public Library, 100 S. 10th Ave.
• Skillman: Nov. 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Charles Borromeo Church, 47 Skillman Road.
• Somerville: Nov. 17, 1 to 6 p.m., Raritan Valley Lodge No. 46, 14 N. Doughty Ave.

Union County

• Berkeley Heights: Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Berkeley Heights YMCA, 59 Locust Ave.
• Cranford: Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cranford Elks Lodge, 951 Lincoln Ave. East.
• Scotch Plains: Dec. 3, 2 to 7 p.m., St. John’s Baptist Church, 2387 Morse Ave.
• Summit: Nov. 16, 2 to 7 p.m., Christ Church, 561 Springfield Ave.
• Union: Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Union High School, 2350 N. Third St.

Southern New Jersey

Atlantic County

• Absecon: Nov. 16, 1 to 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 100 Pitney Road.
• Absecon: Nov. 30, noon to 5 p.m., Beacon Evangelical Free Church, 420 Sixth Ave.
• Atlantic City: Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Borgata Hotel Casino, One Borgata Way.
• Brigantine: Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., VFW Post 6964, 121 31st St.
• Brigantine: Dec. 4, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brigantine Elks Lodge No. 2428, 400 West Shore Drive.
• Egg Harbor Township: Nov. 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., AtlantiCare Life Center, 2500 English Creek Ave.
• Galloway: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Smithville Community Center, 25 N. Quail Hill Blvd.
• Margate City: Nov. 27, noon to 5 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 501 N. Jerome Ave.
• Margate City: Dec. 1, 1 to 6 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 501 N. Jerome Ave.
• Mays Landing: Nov. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., Presbyterian Church of Mays Landing, 6001 Main St.
• Northfield: Nov. 16 and Dec. 3, 1 to 6 p.m., Harvey D. Johnson American Legion Post 295, 232 W. Mill Road.
• Somers Point: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., VFW Post 2189, 500 Bethel Road.

Burlington County

• Bordentown: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., Bordentown Elks Lodge 2085, 11 Amboy Road.
• Burlington: Nov. 17, 2 to 7 p.m., Doane Academy, 350 W. Riverbank Drive.
• Burlington: Nov. 30, 2 to 7 p.m., Fountain of Life, 2035 Columbus Road.
• Burlington: Dec. 1, 1 to 6 p.m., Relief Fire Company No. 3 Station 303, 1020 Neck Road.
• Cinnaminson: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., Cinnaminson Branch Library, 1619 Riverton Road.
• Crosswicks: Nov. 23, 1 to 6 p.m., Crosswicks Community House, 480 Main St.
• Marlton: Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Marlton United Methodist Church, 2 Marlborough Drive.
• Marlton: Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Virtua Lippincott Campus, 303 Lippincott Drive.
• Marlton: Dec. 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Blue Barn Recreation Center, 1004 Tuckerton Road.
• Medford: Nov. 20, noon to 5 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1 Hartford Road.
• Medford: Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m., Protestant Community Church, 100 Stokes Road.
• Moorestown: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., Virtua Moorestown, 401 Young Ave.
• Moorestown: Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Virtua Moorestown, 401 Young Ave.
• Mount Holly: Nov. 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Virtua Mount Holly, 175 Madison Ave.
• Mount Holly: Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St.
• Tabernacle: Dec. 1, 2 to 7 p.m., Church of the Holy Eucharist, 520 Medford Lakes.
• Westampton: Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Eaton, 96 Stemmers Lane.

Camden County

• Audubon: Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., New Creation Church, 255 Edgewood Ave.
• Berlin: Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Virtua Berlin, 100 Townsend Ave.
• Blackwood: Nov. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., American Legion Post 281, 2101 Chews Landing Road.
• Cherry Hill: Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Penn Medicine Cherry Hill, 1865 Route 70 East.
• Cherry Hill: Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church, 499 E. Route 70.
• Cherry Hill: Dec. 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Carusi Middle School, 315 Roosevelt Drive.
• Clementon: Nov. 20, noon to 5 p.m., Clementon Fire Company, 165 Gibbsboro Road.
• Collingswood: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., Collingswood Grand Ballroom and Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike.
• Gloucester Township: Nov. 24, 1 to 6 p.m., The Forum Wedding & Catering Hall, 109 N. Black Horse Pike.
• Turnersville: Dec. 3, 1 to 6 p.m., Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 362 Ganttown Road.
• Voorhees: Nov. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., Congregation Beth El, 8000 Main St.
• Voorhees: Nov. 20, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Virtua Voorhees Health and Wellness, 200 Bowman Drive.
• Voorhees: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Flyers Training Center, 601 Laurel Oak Road.
• Voorhees: Nov. 30, 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., Hope Church, 700 Cooper Road.
• Voorhees Township: Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Muslim American Community Association, 3 Lafayette Ave.

Cape May County

• Cape May Court House: Nov. 17 and Dec. 3, noon to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., respectively, First Baptist Church of Cape May, 101 S. Main St.
• North Wildwood: Nov. 18, 2 to 7 p.m., North Wildwood Community Center, 900 Central Ave.
• Ocean City: Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 1001 Central Ave.
• Stone Harbor: Dec. 3, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, 9001 Sunset Drive.

Cumberland County

• Millville: Nov. 30, 1 to 6 p.m., Millville Elks Lodge 580, 1815 E. Broad St.
• Vineland: Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Inspira Medical Center, 1505 W. Sherman Ave.
• Vineland: Nov. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ramada Inn, 2216 W. Landis Ave.
• Vineland: Dec. 3, 1 to 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus No. 2531, 1803 N. East Ave.

Gloucester County

• Deptford: Dec. 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Deptford High School, 575 Fox Run Road.
• Deptford: Dec. 1, 1 to 6 p.m., Almonesson United Methodist Church, 1680 Almonesson Road.
• Glassboro: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott Glassboro Rowan University, 325 Rowan Blvd.
• Mantua: Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m., Church of the Incarnation, 240 Main St.
• Mullica Hill: Nov. 20, 7 a.m. to noon, Inspira Medical Center, 700 Mullica Hill Road.
• Mullica Hill: Nov. 23, 1 to 6 p.m., Robert W. Mills Post 452, 141 N. Main St.
• Mullica Hill: Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mullica Hill Library, 389 Wolfert Station Road.
• Sewell: Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Washington Township Municipal Building, 523 Egg Harbor Road.
• Sewell: Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pitman Road Church of Christ, 500 Pitman Road.
• Thorofare: Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Thorofare, 74 Church St.
• West Deptford: Nov. 30, noon to 5 p.m., Riverwinds Community Center, 1000 Riverwinds Drive.
• Williamstown: Nov. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., Free Public Library of Monroe Township, 713 Marsha Ave.
• Woodbury: Nov. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Delaware St.

Salem County

• Woodstown: Nov. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Salem County Vocational Technical High School, 880 Route 45.

Red Cross blood donation centers

In addition to community blood drives, residents can donate at several American Red Cross blood donation centers throughout New Jersey.

Northern New Jersey Blood Donation Center

209 Fairfield Road, Fairfield

• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Llura Gund Blood Donation Center

707 Alexander Road, Suite 101, Princeton

• Monday through Wednesday, 12:45 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tinton Falls Blood and Platelet Donation Center

1540 West Park Ave., Tinton Falls

• Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Southern New Jersey Blood Donation Center — Pennsauken

5425 Marlton Pike, Pennsauken

• Monday through Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Southern New Jersey Blood Donation Center — Delran

5029 Route 130, Suite 450, Delran

• Monday through Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

How to donate blood

Residents can schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

All blood types are needed to help maintain a reliable supply for patients. In most states, individuals must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent where permitted by law, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health to donate. Additional height and weight requirements apply to some younger donors.

Donors must bring a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification when checking in.

The Red Cross also encourages donors to use RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online on the day of their appointment, which can help reduce the time spent at the donation site.

More information about RapidPass is available at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.