MANALAPAN — The Manalapan Police Department Superior Officers Association is set to host a blood drive on July 17. This will mark the second straight year the association is sponsoring a blood drive that is open to everyone in the community.
The Superior Officers Association is partnering with the Central Jersey Blood Center (CJBC), Shrewsbury, and is encouraging individuals to give back to the community by donating blood that will help fill a critical need.
The CJBC, which is marking 50 years of serving municipalities in the region, makes it a priority to highlight summer blood drives because that is when donations are at their lowest point of the year.
The Manalapan Police Department hosted its first blood drive in July 2014 and Lt. Kevin Dobbin said the donations could not have come at a better time.
“Last year, according to the blood bank, we were really successful,” Dobbin said. “We were able to get around 70 pints of blood, which was really helpful considering the shortage of donations that come in the summer.”
CJBC Account Manager Karen Moore said although the demand for blood remains high throughout the year, the summer is always the most critical time for donations because people who regularly give blood or who might give blood for the first time are not necessarily thinking about that during the vacation season.
As stated on its website, the blood center is devoted to saving lives by providing safe and quality blood to patients in need. Moore said the need for blood is constant and donations are always needed.
“There are so many reasons someone may need a blood transfusion, but there is only one way we can get the blood these patients need,” she said. “By donating, we can only help each other and the community as a whole.”
Dobbin said the police department shares the blood center’s goals and wants to do what it can to help.
“I think it is very important for the police department to host events like this,” the lieutenant said. “Serving people in the community is the main reason departments host events such as this.”
Dobbin said he and several other officers are planning to donate blood.
The blood drive will be held from noon to 7 p.m. July 17 at the Manalapan Police Department in the municipal building at 120 Route 522 (corner of Taylors Mills Road), Manalapan.