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Service Above Self |
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PO Box 5435 Clinton, NJ 08809 |
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908-279-0112 |
2011 Blood Drive |
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SAVE A LIFE THIS SUMMER - GIVE BLOOD Saturday, July 30th Every 3 seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Every day in the U.S. approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities to treat patients with cancer and other diseases, to support organ transplant recipients and accident and trauma victims. New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) is urging blood donors to donate blood to ensure an adequate summer blood supply. College and High School donors are now on their summer break and unable to donate at their school drives. Those student donors now make up approximately 25% of the local blood supply. Their vacations, along with the typical hustle and bustle of summer fun, creates a great stress on the local blood supply. “Traditionally blood collections drop during the summer, not only in New Jersey but throughout the country and shortages become acute. Everyone has an obligation to donate blood at least once a year if they meet qualifications to help us avert a severe shortage,” reports Marie Forrestal, Director of Donor Recruitment for New Jersey Blood Services. She said that it is especially important to encourage all Negative blood types to donate as frequently as possible. To help fill the gap in donations that occurs during the summer months, the Clinton Sunrise Rotary is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Saturday, July 30th from 8:30am-2:30pm at the Clinton Firehouse. Qualified donors should be at least 16 years of age (with parental consent), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Donors must present photo or signed ID. Donors over 75 years of age can also keep donating with their physician’s note. Cancer survivors and those with diabetes may also be eligible to donate. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) or visit www.nybloodcenter.org. Walk-ins are also welcome. Last year’s blood drive was a great success as generous community members heeded the call and donated a precious gift to help others – their blood. Over half of the donors were type O – a type that is often in short supply. “ We want to at least match last year’s donation level of 50 units and, hopefully, exceed it,” said Lynn Arnold, Clinton Sunrise Rotary’s President. “We live in a caring community and can always count on the local residents to give of themselves to help others.” In addition to helping others, donors will receive something for themselves. Each donor will receive an AMC Movie Theater ticket and have the opportunity to win a door prize: a 6 month family membership to the Hunterdon County YMCA along with a gym bag of goodies; or tickets to a Somerset Patriots Baseball Game sponsored by Economic Concepts in Annandale. The Clinton Sunrise Rotary meets every Thursday morning, 7:30am, at the Clinton Firehouse. For more information about the club visit www.clintonsunriserotary.org. |