By jeanette M. eng
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — In response to a critical appeal put out by the Central Jersey Blood Center (CJBC) for donors of all blood types, the Marlboro First Aid Squad will host a blood drive on Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its headquarters on Wyncrest Road. Representatives from the CJBC will conduct the blood drive.
"What a lot of people do not realize is that blood is perishable," said Sherry Lieberman, coordinator of the blood drive. "So we are constantly in need of blood."
According to Lieberman, who is an Emergency Medical Technician on the first aid squad, a slowdown in donations during the holiday season is still being felt. She said this makes what has been a period of a low blood supply even more critical.
"The holiday season consumes people with other things," Lieberman explained. "The cold weather also makes it so that people don’t want to come out."
According to a press release, less than a one-day supply for all blood types is projected to last through the next several weeks in the area.
"When this happens," said Lieberman, "hospitals have to go out of the area to get blood and it becomes more expensive."
The need for blood donations has become so urgent, in fact, that it has recently made its way into the political arena.
"As of September 2002, Gov. (James) McGreevey signed a state law stating that you don’t have to have a parental signature to donate blood if you are only 17," Lieb-erman said. "This will allow blood donations to take place in the high schools."
On the same note, on Dec. 26, 2002, McGreevey signed a proclamation naming January 2003 as "Volunteer Blood Donor Month."
According to the proclamation, "every three seconds, someone needs blood. Patients across the country require 32,000 units of blood and blood products every day … the lives of accident victims, cancer, cardiac and organ transplant patients are saved by the commitment of dedicated blood donors who are willing to give the gift of life; and … whereas, as we celebrate this month by recognizing the importance of volunteer blood donations, I encourage all healthy, eligible residents to consider donating blood on a regular basis."
According to Lieberman, blood donations are a professional and painless process.
"Blood is only drawn by registered nurses, very experienced professionals, who also monitor you during and after the procedure," explained Lieberman. "Every person is also dealt with using a complete new and sterile package of materials."
Lieberman said donors proceed only after a screening process during which a finger prick is done and all vital signs are tested. After the 45-minute process, donors are given coffee, snacks and liquids to replenish their bodies.
After the drive, the CJBC will transport the blood back to its facilities so that hospitals in central New Jersey can be supplied.
Each donor at the blood drive will donate one unit of blood.
According to the press release, anyone over 17 who weighs at least 110 pounds can donate. Those who are interested in donating should call the Marlboro First Aid Squad at (732) 536-1166 to make an appointment for the Feb. 1 blood drive. Walk-ins will also be welcome.