N.J. Blood Services seeks donors

VERNON — New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will hold blood drives in four Sussex County locations in May. All types are needed, but especially O-negative, the “universal” blood that can be transfused into anyone in an emergency.
“Hospital patient demand for blood often outpaces our best efforts to recruit donors and schedule blood drives,” said Andrea Cefarelli, NYBC executive director of donor recruitment.
Blood products have a short shelf life, from five to 42 days, so constant replenishment is necessary.
Local residents can donate, which takes about an hour, on May 17 at Glen Meadow Middle School, 7 Sammis Road, Vernon, from 3 to 9 p.m.; May 19 at Saint Kateri Parish, 427 Stanhope Road, Sparta, 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.; May 20, Hayek's Market, 1 Mill St, Newton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and May 21, High Point Regional High School, 299 Pigeon Hill Road, Sussex, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.