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ROBBINSVILLE: Residents give blood after Ewing blast

More than 200 came to donate at the Robbinsville Senior Center on March 6 for the Community Blood Council of New Jersey, Inc., which even prior to the March 6 blast, was experiencing almost unprecedente

by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
ROBBINSVILLE — Days after a gas explosion in Ewing left one dead, several injured and donor blood supplies low, township residents responded at an emergency drive, donating more than 90 units of blood last week.
   More than 200 came to donate at the Robbinsville Senior Center on March 6 for the Community Blood Council of New Jersey, Inc., which even prior to the March 6 blast, was experiencing almost unprecedented winter shortage.
   The Robbinsville drive was held on the heels of similar efforts the previous week in Hamilton Township.
   For the Robbinsville drive, township officials got the word out and encouraged businesses and civic groups to compete for cash awards provided by the Robbinsville-based TriCore PCM, PBA Local 344 and the Robbinsville Professional Firefighters (IAFF Local 3786), for the largest amount of donors.
   Ultimately, B.A.P.S. temple boasted nearly 40 donors, while the Robbinsville Little League came in second – though ultimately the clear winner were those in need of life-giving blood donations.
   James J. Gosnay Jr., director of business operations and CEO of the blood council, was impressed with the turnout, especially given the number of donations and drives cancelled by inclement weather this winter.
   ”It’s not only frustrating, it’s difficult to meet your hospital demands,” Mr. Gosnay said. “I think, generally speaking, we’ve done an adequate job up to this point, but when you get blood drives like this it’s a small miracle. This is what it takes to support the council.”
   The council supplies several local hospitals including Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Capital Health and St. Francis Medical Center.
   ”They all depend on us for daily distribution,” he said, expressing gratitude for the efforts of Mayor David Fried and the township.
   ”That’s what it’s all about – leadership and communication,” he said.
   Mayor David Fried said the impressive response was not surprising given what he knows about his constituents.
   ”It’s overwhelming. The one thing that has always amazed me is the fact that my residents always come through,” the mayor said, pointing to the township’s adopting Sea Bright and Ocean Springs, Mississippi, after Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, respectively.
   ”That really is a blessing,” he added.
   Resident Tony Rosica, who was on hand for the drive, agreed with the mayor’s sentiment about the township.
   ”I think Robbinsville’s kind of a tight-knit community, when there’s people in need people step up,” Mr. Rosica said.
   In an interview following the drive, Mr. Gosnay and other officials from the Community Blood Council, noted how they want to encourage consistent donations throughout the year to provide daily supplies.
   ”This is just one day out of the year,” he said, referring to the drive.
   Depending on the type of donation, a single person can donate several times a year.
   Mr. Gosnay acknowledged the challenge of convincing the public to donate and noted how some European governments mandate donations.
   ”How do you motivate the public to come in and donate?” he said. “We need to appeal to people’s altruistic, emotional side.”
   Many times donors know someone or have themselves directly benefited from a donation, he said.
   ”That what drives people to donate,” he said.
   ”When there’s an urgent need there’s an outpouring from the community, but the day-to-day blood usage in the hospitals when you don’t have that face in front of the public there seems to be less of an urge,” said Penny Moyer, director of donor services.
   For daily needs, the organization relies on its donor base, Mr. Gosnay explained.
   ”We prompt them,” he said. “That’s the nature of what we do. We’re not begging, but we’re trying to educate and we’re trying to motivate.
   ”The closer you get to the Bible belt it’s an easy story to sell,” he added, noting that a great deal of donor blood is imported from outside of New Jersey, particularly from the mid west.
   While most people associate blood donation benefiting people who experience sudden trauma – such as a car accident – donated blood that is split into platelets, red blood cells and plasma can save up to three lives with different needs.
   Plasma, which can be frozen for up to a year, is primarily used to treat shock and burn victims, while red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days and is used for trauma victims and those undergoing surgery, Ms. Moyer said.
   Finally, she explained, platelets are used for cancer and leukemia patients. However, platelets are only good for five days.
   ”My daughter received over 30 units of blood for open heart surgery,” Ms. Moyer said. “The need is always there.”
   The organization also struggles with retention, she said, pointing to the aftermath of the Sept. 2001 terrorist attacks as an example.
   ”The community outpouring was incredible during 9/11,” she said. “Fifty-six days later when those donors were eligible to come back the percentage (was low).”
   ”This is a marathon, not a sprint,” added Anthony R. DeLuccio, public relations manager for the council. “It requires an ongoing, continuing help.”
   Even with the current dire need, demographics say the needs are only going to increase, Mr. Gosnay said, referring to the aging baby boomer generation.
   ”There’s this big wave of people coming down the line that are going to need blood support, and it’s a little scary,” he said.
   Another local blood drive will be held by St. Gregory the Great Church and the Blood Council on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Parish Center, located at 4620 Nottingham Way in Hamilton Square, NJ.
   Robbinsville Township officials encouraged those who may have been unable to make the Robbinsville Drive to attend.
   For the April 5 drive, anyone who donates will be eligible to win four Trenton Thunder game tickets. For more on the drive, visit www.stgregorythegreatchurch.org/blooddrive.
   For more information, including eligibility guidelines, visit givebloodnj.org. The council is located at 1410 Parkside Avenue in Ewing, and can also be reached at 609-883-9750.