Blood donations needed in wake of winter storm

The American Red Cross is calling for all eligible blood and platelet donors to make an appointment to give to help offset the weather-related shortfall in donations.

More than 100 Red Cross blood drives across the eastern United States were canceled due to extreme winter conditions. These cancellations resulted in a shortfall of nearly 4,500 blood and platelet donations on March 14 alone, according to information provided by the Red Cross.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

The American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Central New Jersey Donor Center707 Alexander Road, Suite 701, Princeton Township, from 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays or from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays;

The American Red Cross, 1540 W. Park Ave., Tinton Falls, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 23;

St. Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church, 423 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 25;

VFW Post 133, 485 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27.

For more information, visit redcrossblood.org.