Blood donations ugently needed for holiday season

   Despite the surge of blood donations after the World Trade Center attacks more than three months ago, the blood inventory mainained by New Jersey Blood Services is now reaching dangerously low levels.
   "We curtailed donations by asking those who wanted to donate for the Sept. 11 tragedy to postpone their donations. We did this to avoid the need to discard blood that would not be used," said John Giandelone, NJBS executive director.
   "We hope our donors understand that blood is highly perishable, with red cells having only a 42-day shelf life, and platelets only five days. This is why we need new donations every day. We must ensure that a safe and adequate fresh blood supply is always available to meet hospital patient demand," said Mr. Giandelone.
   According to the NJSB, New Jersey has a very low blood-donor participation rate.
   Blood is needed every minute of every day by hundreds of patients in New Jersey hospitals. Cancer patients, burn and accident victims, premature babies and surgery and transplant patients are just some of those who need life-saving transfusions. It is also important for hospitals to have the right blood type mix on hand.
   New Jersey particularly requires a blood inventory rich in types O and B — blood types common to many minorities who make up the areas that have diverse populations.
   Inadequate blood supplies can lead to canceled surgeries and hospital emergency-room closures. Donations of blood and/or platelets are especially needed during December to meet a traditionally-high holiday season demand for blood products.
   Blood donors must be between age 18 and 75, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in good health. The blood donation process takes less than an hour and includes a free mini-medical examination (temperature, iron count, pulse rate and blood pressure). Photo or signature ID is required and the submission of one’s Social Security number.
   Based in New Brunswick, the nonprofit New Jersey Blood Services serves 13 counties and 60 hospitals. NJBS collects approximately 90,000 units of blood annually and conducts an estimated 200 blood drives a month.
   For more information on giving blood or setting up a blood drive, call NJBS at (800) 933-BLOOD.
   To donate blood directly to the Blood Bank at The Medical Center of Princeton, call (609) 497-4353.