Maplewood July 4th Blood Drive

From Bob Roe, Maplewood Health Dept.   As part of the July th celebration, a blood donation drive will be held on Oakview Ave. from 11:00am till 2:30pm.   This will be in the Community Blood Services van.   To schedule an appointment call 201-251-3703.   

There is something patriotic about donating blood.   And the need is great. So, please help your fellow Americans in this way.  Then you can celebrate again with some good July 4th foods.   

 In a follow up posting, i will start a list of the situations where blood is needed.  But I know you medical professionals can start the list.   


from Bob Roe again:  If you make an appointment to donate blood, they may ask if you want to do an Automated Red Cell Donation.   This allows them to collect more red blood cells which are better than whole blood for some types of illnesses.   I am thinking of Sickle Cell.


Here are some very interesting things about blood donation.

https://www.quora.com/How-many-people-a-year-die-because-the-hospital-ran-out-of-blood-or-blood-substitutes

I donate platelets fairly often. It takes longer than whole blood, and I'm led to understand the shortage is more severe. But I encourage people to donate whole blood, especially if they are new to donation.


from Bob Roe:  Thank you Tom.  That is quite a list.  One added thought.  I am 68 years old and can still donate blood.   So, don't let age keep you away.   If you cannot make this blood donation day, we pretty often have clubs and houses of worship and other local organizations holding blood drives.


I moved out of New Jersey a few years ago, but blood donation is a topic of interest to me.

I should also add that the process is not painful. The needle hurts a little when going in but a lot of the discomfort comes from the fact that someone is knowingly penetrating your skin. It's really no worse than a lot of occasional things that happen that we don't even think about.

And it does not make you weak or dizzy unless you are anxious or dehydrated. Before and after a donation, I take care to drink plenty. I have never felt any side effects at all. They tell me not to exercise after donating, and I usually ride my bike away, violating that rule. I don't recommend that, but I mention it to say that donating is not a physically stressful thing, at least for many people.


from Bob Roe:   If you need a little more incentive, the blood bank is giving out scratch off cards to win an Apple watch or 55" LC TV.   Non scratch off winners will get a American Donor drawstring bag.   There is still appointment room: call 201-251-3703.   Walk-ins are okay as space permits.  

Many larger blood donor locations such as colleges are closed in the summer; but the need continues.   Also, consider being a red cell donor as this helps more people.  

My plan is to donate blood and then have a good lunch at the festival.  

Finally if you cannot donate on the 4th, there will be plenty of other opportunities.  The Health Dept. is co-sponsoring another blood donation drive on August 20th at the Woodland.  



Mr Roe, could you please list those conditions/situations that don't allow blood donation?  Happy to donate if allowed, but prefer not to wait on line to be rejected.  Others may also want to know.

TIA


from Bob Roe;   I think you are best off calling the blood bank for a list of health problems or risk factors or medications and even travel locations that may cause you to not be able to donate.    Telephone 201-251-3703.   



If you can't make this blood drive, there is one sponsored by the American Red Cross at the Millburn Library on Saturday, July 7th.  You can schedule an appointment online, https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive, or just walk in.  


from Bob Roe:  All blood donations are good and there are many opportunities.  If you cannot make July 4th, keep alert for another local one..  


Platelets are in short supply, and people live and die by them. I have to schedule another appointment.

The NY Blood Center is in four towns in New Jersey where they accept all kinds of donations:  Paramus, New Brunswick, Raritan, and Scotch Plains. These may not be as convenient as drives that come to you, but if you're interested in doing something even better than donating whole blood, you might find the trip worth it. They can't bring the equipment out, because it's so big and heavy. I make my platelet donations at a blood center.

NYBC Donor Center Locations

There are also three locations in Manhattan.

Each time, a few days after I donate, I learn of the hospital where my donation is going to use. I don't get to learn more than that, but it's as real as it gets. It really can be someone who might have died without the donation, so it's nice to make a difference.


From Bob Roe:   Thanks to everyone who signed up to donate.  We have basically filled up all the time slots at the bloodmobile and greatly exceeded the goal that the blood bank set for us.   But, if you still want to donate: 1;  Check at the bloodmobile van as there may have been some cancellations or people not able to donate that day.  2.  Keep alert for other donation programs.   

Happy 4th to everyone.  




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