Somewhere in the region right now, a patient may be waiting on blood that isn't there yet. The regional supply has dropped to about two days of inventory, the lowest level since the pandemic, and Summit residents have a chance to help fill that gap at a community blood drive Tuesday, July 21, at Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center.
New York Blood Center Enterprises declared its second blood emergency of the summer on July 8 — the first time in the organization's history it's issued two such declarations in a single season. "We prepare for seasonal challenges every year, but the combination of extreme weather, disrupted routines, and low national inventories has created an unprecedented situation," said Andrea Cefarelli, NYBC's chief operating officer of blood and laboratory operations. "Blood inventories are low nationwide, limiting that safety net. We need our local communities to step forward now."
More than 3,000 fewer donations came in during the week before the Fourth of July, as extreme heat, severe storms, power outages and storm cleanup all kept would-be donors away. O-negative blood — the universal type used when a patient's blood type isn't yet known — is especially low. Normally, blood centers around the country share supply during regional shortages, but that safety net is stretched thin right now because inventories are down everywhere at once.
More than 60% of New Jersey residents are eligible to donate blood. Only 3.6% actually do.
The drive runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Bouras Auditorium at Overlook Medical Center, 99 Beauvoir Ave., Summit. Parking is validated for donors, and appointments are encouraged — sign up at nybc.org/ahs or contact Genevieve Toscano at 732-672-5281 or [email protected]. Bring a valid ID. Whole-blood donors can give every 56 days; platelet donors can give twice a month.
- Monday, July 20 — American Red Cross drive at Summit Fire Headquarters, 281 Broad St., part of a monthly series running through September. Schedule at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.
- Tuesday, July 21 — NYBC community drive, Bouras Auditorium, Overlook Medical Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
