Community blood drives in December to benefit cancer patients

New Jersey Blood Services is conducting blood drives in the area which are open to the public. Here is a list of the following drives that are upcoming: On Dec. 5, at Wantage Elementary School, 815 Rt. 23, Wantage, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Dec. 7, at Mitchell Agency, 29 Trinity St., Newton, 12:15 to 6:15 p.m. On Dec. 8, at Sussex County Technical High School, 105 No. Church Road, Sparta, 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Those interested may call 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) or visit www.nybloodcenter.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food and Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People age 76 and over may donate with a doctor’s note. Visit: www.nybloodcenter.org for more information on New Jersey Blood Services.