Red Cross urges blood donations ahead of holidays, announces November blood drives across New Jersey

NEW JERSEY — The American Red Cross is urging people of all blood types, particularly those with type O blood, to donate blood or platelets ahead of the holiday season to help maintain a steady supply for hospitals and patients.

In a statement released Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Red Cross emphasized the importance of keeping blood and platelet donation appointments as the holiday season approaches.

To encourage donations, everyone who comes to give blood or platelets from Oct. 19 through Nov. 22 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and 500 bonus Blood Donor Rewards points, which can be redeemed for a $10 electronic gift card, for a total value of up to $20.

November is also National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Red Cross will offer free A1C testing to individuals who successfully donate blood during the month. The test is commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.

The testing is limited to one result per calendar year, and donors should not fast before donating.

The Red Cross has announced the following blood donation opportunities throughout New Jersey from Nov. 1-15.

Northern New Jersey

Bergen County

• Glen Rock: Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Glen Rock Jewish Center, 682 Harristown Road.
• Wyckoff: Nov. 12, 2 to 7 p.m. — Cedar Hill Church, 422 Cedar Hill Ave.

Essex County

• Millburn: Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Millburn High School, 462 Millburn Ave.
• Montclair: Nov. 11, 2 to 7 p.m. — Montclair Art Museum, 3 S. Mountain Ave.
• South Orange: Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave.

Hudson County

• Bayonne: Nov. 14, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Catholic War Veterans Post 1612, 18 W. 23rd St.
• Jersey City: Nov. 6, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District, 159 Morgan St.

Morris County

• Chatham: Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Long Hill Chapel, 525 Shunpike Road.
• Hanover: Nov. 13, noon to 5 p.m. — Hanover Township Community Center, 15 N. Jefferson Road.
• Morristown: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 70 Maple Ave.
• Parsippany: Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Hilton Parsippany, 1 Hilton Court.
• Parsippany-Troy Hills: Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — MANE, 339 Jefferson Road.

Sussex County

• Hamburg: Nov. 10, 1 to 6 p.m. — Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way.
• Sandyston: Nov. 5, 1 to 6 p.m. — Sandyston Township Municipal Building, 133 County Road 645.

Central New Jersey

Hunterdon County

• Clinton: Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St.
• Frenchtown: Nov. 12, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Delaware Valley Regional High School, 19 Senator Stout Road.

Mercer County

• East Windsor: Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Beth El Synagogue, 50 Maple Stream Road.
• Lawrence Township: Nov. 9, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Church of Saint Ann, 1253 Lawrenceville Road.
• Princeton: Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Princeton University Frist Campus Center, 75 Washington Road.
• Princeton: Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Princeton Theological Seminary Mackay Campus Center, 64 Mercer St.
• Princeton: Nov. 6, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Princeton University Frist Campus Center, 75 Washington Road.
• Princeton: Nov. 13, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Princeton University Frist Campus Center, 75 Washington Road.

Middlesex County

• New Brunswick: Nov. 4, 1 to 6 p.m. — Rutgers University New Brunswick, Cook Campus Center, 59 Biel Road.
• Old Bridge: Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Simpson United Methodist Church, 2095 Route 516.
• Woodbridge Township: Nov. 3, noon to 5 p.m. — Colonia Fire Department, 250 Inman Ave.

Monmouth County

• Asbury Park: Nov. 13, noon to 5 p.m. — Atonement Lutheran Church, 308 First Ave.
• Eatontown: Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Circle BMW, 500 State Highway 36.
• Freehold: Nov. 9, 1 to 6 p.m. — CentraState Medical Center Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main St.
• Freehold: Nov. 12, 1 to 6 p.m. — Knights of Columbus Council 1672, 70 E. Main St.
• Manasquan: Nov. 2, 1 to 6 p.m. — Manasquan Senior Center, 63 Atlantic Ave.
• Manasquan: Nov. 12, 1 to 6 p.m. — First Baptist Church of Manasquan, 47-51 South St.
• Millstone: Nov. 4, 1 to 6 p.m. — Moose Lodge 1459, 560 Monmouth Road.
• Neptune: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Neptune Township Senior Services and Senior Center, 1607 Route 33.

Ocean County

• Bayville: Nov. 4, 1 to 6 p.m. — Berkeley Branch Library, 30 Station Road.
• Brick Township: Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Church of the Visitation, 755 Mantoloking Road.
• Manahawkin: Nov. 5, 1 to 6 p.m. — Beach Haven Moose Lodge 1575, 120 Route 72.
• Toms River: Nov. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — American Legion Post 129, 2025 Church Road.
• Toms River: Nov. 4, 1 to 6 p.m. — Days Hotel by Wyndham Toms River, 290 Route 37 East.
• Toms River: Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Green Island Community Association Clubhouse, 100 Green Island Road.

Somerset County

• Basking Ridge: Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave.
• Montgomery: Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Montgomery United Methodist Church, 117 Sunset Road.
• Peapack and Gladstone: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Peapack Reformed Church, 224 Main St.
• Somerset: Nov. 10, 2 to 7 p.m. — Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Ave.
• Somerville: Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Somerville YMCA, 2 Green St.

Union County

• Mountainside: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Mountainside Municipal Building, 1385 Route 22.
• Westfield: Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Westfield Area YMCA, 220 Clark St.

Newark

• Newark: Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Newark Liberty Airport, Delta Air Lines, Terminal A, 6 Earhart Drive, Terminal A garage entrance.

Southern New Jersey

Atlantic County

• Absecon: Nov. 11, 1 to 6 p.m. — Absecon Presbyterian Church, 208 New Jersey Ave.
• Atlantic City: Nov. 6, noon to 5 p.m. — AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City Campus, 1925 Pacific Ave.
• Brigantine: Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 331 Eighth St. S.
• Egg Harbor Township: Nov. 10, 1 to 6 p.m. — Zion United Methodist Church, 652 Zion Road.
• Egg Harbor Township: Nov. 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — AtlantiCare Life Center, 2500 English Creek Ave.
• Hammonton: Nov. 5, 1 to 6 p.m. — Victory Bible Church Fellowship Hall, 816 S. Egg Harbor Road.
• Margate City: Nov. 3, 1 to 6 p.m. — Jewish Community Center, 501 N. Jerome Ave.
• Northfield: Nov. 5, 1 to 6 p.m. — Harvey D. Johnson American Legion Post 295, 232 W. Mill Road.
• Northfield: Nov. 9, 1 to 6 p.m. — Harvey D. Johnson American Legion Post 295, 232 W. Mill Road.
• Somers Point: Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Shore Medical Center, 100 Medical Center Way.

Burlington County

• Bordentown: Nov. 3, 1 to 6 p.m. — Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence-Columbus Road.
• Hainesport: Nov. 13, noon to 5 p.m. — St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 910 Marne Highway.
• Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst: Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Jim Saxton Community Center, 3811 S. Bolling Blvd.
• Marlton: Nov. 12, 1 to 6 p.m. — Blue Barn Recreation Center, 1004 Tuckerton Road.
• Moorestown: Nov. 3, noon to 5 p.m. — Virtua Moorestown, 401 Young Ave.
• Mount Holly: Nov. 11, noon to 5 p.m. — Mount Holly Moose Lodge 737, 853 Woodlane Road.
• Mount Laurel: Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Mount Laurel YMCA, 59 Centerton Road.
• Mount Laurel: Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Rowan College at Burlington County, Votta Hall, 300 College Circle.
• Riverside: Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, 5035 Route 130.

Camden County

• Atco: Nov. 5, 1 to 6 p.m. — South County Regional Branch Library, 35 Cooper Folly Road.
• Camden: Nov. 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Camden City Hall, 520 Market St.
• Cherry Hill: Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — The King’s Christian School, 5 Carnegie Plaza.
• Cherry Hill: Nov. 2, 1 to 6 p.m. — Insight Foundation, 1111 Union Ave.
• Lindenwold: Nov. 6, 2 to 7 p.m. — Lindenwold Moose Lodge, 2425 S. White Horse Pike.
• Stratford: Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Academic Center, 42 E. Laurel Road.
• Turnersville: Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Washington Township Ambulance & Rescue Association, 4 Willow St.

Cape May County

• Cape May: Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave.
• Cape May Court House: Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — First Baptist Church of Cape May, 101 S. Main St.
• Marmora: Nov. 9, 1 to 6 p.m. — Church of the Resurrection, 200 W. Tuckahoe Road.
• North Cape May: Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Town Bank Fire Company, 224 Town Bank Road.
• Ocean City: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Eighth Street Recreation Center, 719 Haven Ave.
• South Seaville: Nov. 3, 2 to 7 p.m. — South Seaville United Methodist Church, 115 Corsons Tavern Road.
• Tuckahoe: Nov. 3, 1 to 6 p.m. — Tuckahoe Fire Company, 2170 Route 50.

Cumberland County

• Bridgeton: Nov. 12, noon to 5 p.m. — Deerfield Elks Lodge, 642 Garton Road.
• Millville: Nov. 9, 1 to 6 p.m. — Millville Elks Lodge 580, 1815 E. Broad St.
• Vineland: Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Rowan College of South Jersey, Cumberland Campus Student Center, 3322 College Drive.
• Vineland: Nov. 6, noon to 5 p.m. — YMCA of Vineland, 1159 E. Landis Ave.
• Vineland: Nov. 10, 1 to 6 p.m. — Vineland Convention Center, 631 E. Landis Ave.

Gloucester County

• Clayton: Nov. 4, 1 to 6 p.m. — Clayton Elks Lodge 2132, 350 S. Broad St.
• Mullica Hill: Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to noon — Inspira Medical Center, 700 Mullica Hill Road.
• Pitman: Nov. 6, noon to 5 p.m. — Church of the Good Shepherd, 315 Highland Terrace.
• Sewell: Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Church of the Holy Family, 226 Hurffville Road.
• Washington Township: Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Jefferson Health, 435 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road.
• Williamstown: Nov. 12, 1 to 6 p.m. — Free Public Library of Monroe Township, 713 Marsha Ave.
• Woodbury: Nov. 2, noon to 5 p.m. — American Legion Post 133, 1018 Washington Ave.

Salem County

• Carneys Point Township: Nov. 13, noon to 5 p.m. — Sakima Country Club, 383 Shell Road.

Red Cross blood donation centers

In addition to the scheduled community blood drives, the Red Cross operates donation centers at the following locations:

• Fairfield: American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 209 Fairfield Road. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Princeton: Llura Gund Blood Donation Center, 707 Alexander Road, Suite 101. Open Monday through Wednesday, 12:45 to 8 p.m.; Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tinton Falls: American Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center, 1540 West Park Ave. Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Pennsauken: American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 5425 Marlton Pike. Open Monday through Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Delran: American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 5029 U.S. 130, Suite 450. Open Monday through Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

How to donate

Individuals who are at least 17 years old in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Additional height and weight requirements apply to certain younger donors.

Donors must bring a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification to their appointments.

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

To schedule an appointment or learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Additional information about donor incentives and November A1C testing is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Maze.