During the summer many of us go on vacations and while vacations are greatly needed by us all, there is a significant drop in blood donations during this time of the year. Weekly donations are on a steady decline this summer. Two weeks before July 4th, 7,500 and 6,500 units were collected respectively and the week of the holiday 4,500 were collected. Types O-, B and A- are all at critical levels! In order to maintain a safe blood supply, a seven-day inventory of all blood types must be continually replenished.

We encouraged the community to do what they could to help replenish blood supplies, by spreading the word by mouth or via social media and/or take the time to donate— give the gift of life!

It was a very successful day, as 52 units of blood products were collected to assist with this summer’s blood shortage!

Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based centers in the world. Partnering with four other Blood Services in the northeast, collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and service 45 million people in the Tri- State area.

Deb Fisher
(NJAC, Sussex County Coach) and Volunteer Roxann Lazorczyk coordinated a blood drive with NY/NJ Blood Services for Vernon Community, on Sunday July 22nd at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.