Local Red Cross Blood Supply Drops to Critically Low Levels
Red Cross extends blood drive hours and asks eligible blood donors
to make and keep appointments

Newton, NJ, July 20, 2011 – The American Red Cross Penn-Jersey blood services is facing a critical blood shortage and today issued an appeal for blood donors. The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Sussex County Chapter Office at 93 Spring Street, in downtown Newton, on Monday, July 25th from 1-6pm.  Donors can make a blood donation appointment for this drive or other local drives at 1-800-Red Cross or by visiting redcrossblood.org.

The Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to numerous hospitals and needs many people to give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. Each pint of blood collected can be used to help up to three people.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

Eligible blood donors are asked to please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment. 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.