TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington donated blood Tuesday as state health officials urged eligible residents to give blood amid a shortage of blood products in New Jersey.
Washington donated whole blood at New Jersey Blood Services’ Freehold Donor Center and encouraged New Jersey residents to determine whether they are eligible to donate and schedule an appointment.
“Donated blood is an essential part of healthcare New Jerseyans rely on, used for everything from routine surgeries and cancer treatments to trauma care. But blood and platelets can’t be manufactured—they come from generous donors who step up to help,” said Commissioner Washington. “Right now, we encourage every eligible New Jerseyan to commit just one hour of their time to give blood and save lives.”
New Jersey’s blood supply is currently low, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Donations typically decline during the summer, but this year New Jersey Blood Services has already declared two states of emergency after heat waves, severe storms and power outages resulted in a significant drop in donations.
The American Red Cross has also declared an emergency blood shortage nationally, citing increased demand for blood products combined with low supplies.
“Maintaining a stable and healthy blood supply for our communities is a responsibility we all share, and we are grateful to Commissioner Washington for leading by example,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Operations at New Jersey Blood Services. “We hope his lifesaving donation inspires eligible New Jersey residents to follow his lead, roll up their sleeves, and help ensure blood is available for every patient who needs it.”
Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion, according to the information provided by the state. A single whole blood donation can help save up to three lives, according to the American Red Cross.
Type O-negative and O-positive blood donations are especially critical. Type O-negative is the universal blood type most commonly used in trauma situations.
Most healthy New Jersey residents are eligible to donate blood, and a whole blood donation takes about an hour. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days.
Other types of donations include platelets, which are crucial for cancer patients and burn victims and can be donated every seven days; plasma, which is often used in trauma care and can be donated every 28 days; and double red cell donations, which allow donors to give two units of red blood cells during one visit and can be made every 112 days.
In New Jersey, individuals who are at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate.
Eligible residents can find blood donation opportunities through the American Red Cross, Hunterdon Healthcare, Miller-Keystone Blood Center, New Jersey Blood Services, RWJBarnabas Health and Vitalant Blood Services.
Health officials said blood products have a limited shelf life and cannot be manufactured, making volunteer donors necessary to maintain a stable supply for patients.
