Blood Donors Save Lives By Rolling Up Their Sleeves

TRENTON, NJ - With National Blood Donor Month underway, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) thanks residents who regularly give blood and urges eligible residents to help save lives by donating blood. Each donation can help up to three people in need of transfusions for planned surgeries, unexpected emergencies, or critical illness treatment.

To honor their generosity and commitment, Governor Phil Murphy signed a proclamation designating January as Blood Donor Month in New Jersey.

Blood banks that collect and distribute lifesaving blood and blood products in New Jersey often see declines in donations during winter months that coincide with an increase in the need for blood products. Already, officials at New Jersey Blood Services declared a blood emergency after seeing donations drop 40% in recent weeks, leaving critical blood types like O-negative and B-negative at dangerously low levels – less than a two-day supply across their service region.

“Each time an individual makes the simple but profoundly important choice to donate blood, they are helping to save the lives of people they may never meet,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “Our health care system relies on these everyday heroes, and I encourage all eligible New Jerseyans to schedule their first donation today and commit to donating blood at least four times in 2026. Together, we can prevent blood shortages.”

Fewer than 5% of eligible New Jerseyans participate in a blood drive in a year, yet the need remains constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion. Donations of Type O-negative blood are especially critical, as it is the universal blood type used in trauma situations.

Donated blood also supports lifesaving transfusions delivered by paramedics closer to the point of injury when every minute counts. NJDOH issued waivers in 2024 authorizing prehospital whole blood programs and enabling EMS teams to administer blood in the field or en route to the hospital, a practice recommended by leading emergency medical groups.

Blood products have a limited shelf life and cannot be manufactured, and the health care system relies on volunteer blood donors to ensure a safe and stable supply of blood products is available to help meet the medical needs of patients in our communities.

Individuals can donate different types of blood products essential for treating a wide array of medical needs:

• Whole blood donation, the most common type, takes about an hour and can be given every 56 days.
• Platelet donation, crucial for cancer patients and burn victims, can be given every seven days.
• Plasma donation, often used in trauma care, can be given every 28 days.
• Double red cell donation, allowing donors to give two units of red blood cells in one visit, can be given every 112 days.

Eligible New Jerseyans can learn more and make an appointment to give blood at a blood donation center or event near them:

• American Red Cross Services
• Hunterdon Healthcare
• Miller-Keystone Blood Center
• New York Blood Center
• RWJBarnabas Health
• Vitalant Blood Services

Individuals who are at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood in New Jersey.

The NJDOH Blood Bank Licensing and Regulatory Compliance Program is responsible for protecting the health and safety of blood donors and transfusion recipients. It’s also responsible for ensuring the safe and effective collection and transfusion of blood and blood products as well as an adequate and safe blood supply in New Jersey.

The tradition of National Blood Donor Month began in 1970 to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation during historically challenging winter months. Today, that mission remains as vital as ever.

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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 5,500 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.