The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors, according to provided information.
This year, the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong.
The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.
As a thank you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give blood this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.
Make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions, according to the statement. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity, according to the statement. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation, according to the statement
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance, according to the statement. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Central New Jersey, Feb. 1-15
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center – Central New Jersey
707 Alexander Road, Suite 302, Princeton Township
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.-8 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Thursday: 10 a.m.-6: 15 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Mercer County
Hamilton
2/3/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Nottingham Fire Company, 200 Mercer Street
2/10/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Metro Center Clock Building, 200 American Metro Boulevard
2/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boston Properties, 101 Carnegie Center Drive
2/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Stone Hill Church, 1025 Bunn Drive
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Middlesex County
Edison
2/10/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pines Manor, 2085 Lincoln Highway
2/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Edison VFW Memorial Post 3117, 55 National Road
Iselin
2/9/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Woodbridge Township Ambulance & Rescue Squad, 77 Queen Street
Monroe Township
2/7/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monroe Township Jewish Center, 11 Cornell Avenue
Piscataway
2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Radisson Hotel Piscataway-Somerset, 21 Kingsbridge Road
South Amboy
2/3/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., South Amboy Branch YMCA, 200 John T O’Leary Boulevard
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Monmouth County
Freehold
2/2/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road
Lincroft
2/11/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Brookdale Community College Robert J. Collins Arena, 765 Newman Springs Road
2/10/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Jersey Coast Chapter, 1540 West Park Avenue
Wall
2/4/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Full Gospel Church, 2649 E Hurley Pond Road
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Ocean County
Brick
2/7/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., VFW Post 8867, 373 Adamston Road
Manahawkin
2/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Beach Haven Moose Lodge 1575, 120 Route 72
New Egypt
2/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., New Egypt Elks Lodge 2457, 105 Lakewood Road
Toms River
2/3/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Days Hotel by Wyndham Toms River, 290 Route 37 East
2/12/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Post 129, 2025 Church Road
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Somerset County
Basking Ridge
2/7/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Avenue
2/10/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mount Airy Road
Manville
2/2/2021: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., VFW Post 2290, 600 Washington Avenue
Skillman
2/10/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Road
Somerville
2/2/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Somerville YMCA, 2 Green Street
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Burlington County
Bordentown
2/1/2021: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Manheim, 730 Route 68
2/13/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Presidential Lakes Fire Department, 703 New York Road
Burlington
2/2/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Fountain of Life, 2035 Columbus Road
Cinnaminson
2/5/2021: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Cinnaminson Community Center, 1621 Riverton Road
Delran
2/9/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Delran Township Building, 900 Chester Avenue
Lumberton
2/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lumberton Emergency Squad, 34 Municipal Drive
Marlton
2/8/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church, 515 E. Main Street
2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Blue Barn Recreation Center, 1004 Tuckerton Road
2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Flying W Airport Resort, 60 Fostertown Road
2/10/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 609 Tabernacle Road
2/13/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., VFW Post 7677, 317 Church Road
Moorestown
2/12/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Converge Church, 802 N. Lenola Road
2/18/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community House of Moorestown, 16 East Main Street
2/7/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mount Holly Moose Lodge No. 737, 853 Woodlane Road
2/15/2021: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Virtua Memorial Hospital, 175 Madison Avenue
2/14/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mount Laurel YMCA, 59 Centerton Road
2/15/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Golder Associates, 200 Century Parkway, Suite C
Riverside
2/8/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Beverly-Riverside Lodge 107 of F&AM, 621 South Chester Avenue
2/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Al-Nasr Mosque, 500 Bridge Street
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About blood donation
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit Twitter at @RedCross.