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REGIONAL: Local blood drives held 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 4 blast, was experiencing almost unprecedented

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 4 blast, was experiencing almost unprecedented winter shortage.
   The Robbinsville drive was held on the heels of similar efforts the previous week in Hamilton Township.
   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. “When you get blood drives like this it’s a small miracle. This is what it takes.”
   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.
   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.
   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.
   For daily needs, the organization relies on its donor base, Mr. Gosnay explained.
   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.
   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, according to Penny Moyer, director of donor services.
   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.”
   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.
   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.
   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.