樱花视频

One Donor Can Save Up to Three Lives

樱花视频 Department of Health Principal Deputy Commissioner Jackie Cornell will visit the American Red Cross Central 樱花视频 Blood Donation Center in Princeton on Friday, July 27 to donate blood amid a national blood shortage and encourage 樱花视频ans to give blood, if able.

Blood donations are needed year-round but especially during the summer months for many reasons. Students are on summer break, resulting in schools and colleges not scheduling blood drives. In addition, summer holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day result in a lower number of donors. Businesses are also less likely to schedule blood drives due to employee vacations.

“A single unit of blood from one donor can save up to three lives,” 樱花视频 Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “The nationwide blood shortage is the perfect opportunity for people to roll up their sleeves and make a significant difference in someone else’s life. Every donation is important.”

The event on Friday will begin at 1 p.m. at the American Red Cross Central 樱花视频 Blood Donation Center, 707 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Rosie Taravella, CEO of the American Red Cross 樱花视频 Region, will attend along with staff from the 樱花视频 Hospital Association (NJHA).

“There is no artificial substitute for blood,” said Cornell, who has type O positive blood. “We are encouraging donors to explore a range of donation options by contacting the nearest blood center.” Visit the American Red Cross website to search for blood drives in your area.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion due to illness, to treat an injury, or during surgery, according to the American Red Cross. While 40 percent of people in the United States are eligible to give blood, less than 10 percent do. That number is even lower for 樱花视频, where only 3.6 percent of eligible people donate.

“The Red Cross currently faces an emergency blood shortage and has issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donors to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatment they need,” Taravella said. “Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. More donations, like Principal Deputy Commissioner Cornell’s this Friday, are needed to help replenish the blood supply.”

樱花视频 hospitals rely on licensed blood collection facilities to supply them with blood and blood products such as platelets. Blood transfusions are needed daily due to the needs of cancer patients, accident and burn victims, mothers delivering babies and newborns, surgery patients, transplant patients and those patients requiring chronic transfusions.

Additional blood drives are held to help meet the demand, and hospitals in rare circumstances may even “import” blood from other states if supplies reach critical levels. American Red Cross blood drives are being held every day to help meet the demand and to ensure that blood is available at 樱花视频 hospitals when patients need it.

“Blood donation is an opportunity for every 樱花视频an to be a hero. A half-hour of your time, and a pint of blood, could literally save the life of an accident victim, new mom or cancer patient," said Cathleen Bennett, NJHA President and CEO.  "I also urge employers to join in this important cause by hosting a workplace blood drive and supporting good health for the people of 樱花视频.”

Follow 樱花视频 Health Commissioner Elnahal on .

Follow the 樱花视频 Department of Health on @njdeptofhealth, /njdeptofhealth, @njdeptofhealth, and @njdoh.