The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood donations.  In order to maintain adequate supplies of blood in our area, the Red Cross must collect an average 1,200 units of blood per day.  However, it is very difficult to meet these blood collection targets, especially during the summer months.  The blood supply is a community resource; a resource that solely relies on volunteer donors in our community.  To help replenish this critically low blood supply, eighty people volunteered to donate blood at the Red Cross blood drive held at the Millburn Public Library on Saturday, August 2.

"Donors Giving Their History at August Drive"

When asked to comment about the August 2 blood drive, Peggy Arnold, co-chair of Blood Services for the Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross, indicated, “We appreciate every donor the comes through the door.  We have many donors who make blood donation a part of their lives.  But we need to reach out to others who have never donated or donate infrequently.  The Red Cross slogan, ‘donate blood today and change a life, starting with your own.’ is an accurate statement.  I give blood because I feel I’m making a difference in someone’s life, and I feel good about that.  As a blood donor, you are invaluable to the community.  Your donation helps save and improve the lives of patients in our local hospitals every day.”

 

"Donors Giving Their Pint of Blood"

Residents will have an opportunity to help lessen the current blood supply shortfall by donating at the next blood drive sponsored by the Millburn-Short Hills Red Cross Chapter on Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millburn Public Library.  Although scheduling an appointment is preferred, walk-ins are welcomed.  To schedule an appointment, call the local Red Cross chapter at 1-973-379-4198 or the Penn-Jersey region of the American Red Cross at 1-800-448-3543.  Blood donors must be in good general health and weigh at least 110 pounds.  They must know their Social Security number and bring a signed or picture ID showing that they are at least 17 years old.

 

"Donor Fern Bavosa Received a 3 Gallon Pin From Co-chair Peggy Arnold"

Those who volunteered to donate blood on August 2 are:  Peggy Arnold, Robert Arnold, Gail Austin, Raffi Basralian, Fern Bavosa, Elaine Birnholz, Peter Brookes, Robert Brosman, Shail Busbey, Edward Catallo, Brad Cebula, Ellen Choi, Arthur Courtien, Roseann Courtien, Stephen Czapinski, Kent Daniel, Lois Dante, Nina Diamond, Edwin Diaz, John Dilyard, and Gerald Eisenberger.

 

"Donor Margaret Mc Cay Received a 2 Gallon Pin From Co-chair Jack Clemence"

Also, Edward Fears, Gail Feely, James Ferruggiaro, Jonathan Flax, Rosemary Friedman-Merrill, Katherine Fugler, Paul Funk, Jay Ghadiali, Pratina Ghadiali, David Goldblatt, Fern Gotfried, Oleg Grinshplin, James Grohsgal, Arlene Halley-Wiggs, Susan Henry, Barbara Herbst, Michael Hernandez, Laurie Hitzig, Thomas Kelly, David Kinkela, Richard Lechtman, James Maloney, Ellen Matthews, Patricia Matthews, and Richard Mazzella.

 

"Donor Robert Brosnan received an 8 Gallon Pin"

Also, Margaret McCay, Edward McNamara, Scott Mernelstein, Philip Merrill, Donald Miller, Allison Miller-Solomon, Clifford Moore, Susan Moore, Sheila Munson, Parker Murray, Miriam Nelson, Celia Pelham, Courtney Pittenger, James Pittenger, Molly Rennie, James Roberts, Karen Rooney, Joanna Rysnik, Thomas Rzepski, Matthew Sandino, June Schnechner, Daniel Schofield, Jeffrey Scott, Scott Sinins, Leslie Sporn, Linda Stanziale, Carol Stearns, Peter Steck, Kevin Stokes, Marion Tortoriello, George Earle Underwood, Virginia Wilson, John Zsakany, and Anne Zweig.

 

Donor Sheila Munson Received a 3 Gallon Pin From Co-chair Jack Clemence

Thanks to the following volunteers for helping make this drive a success:  Peggy Arnold,  Jack Clemence, Ed Borneman, Naomi Rose, Roshni Kotla, Elaine Birnholz, Courtney Pittenger, Sue Wu, and Elaine Becker

"Our Volunteers Manning the Canteen"

Appointments to either donate platelets on September 12th or whole blood on September 12th may be obtained by calling the local Red Cross Chapter at 973-379-4198 or the Penn-Jersey region of the Red Cross at 800-448-3543.  In addition, donors can log on to the Chapter’s website at millburn-shorthills.redcross.org.  Appointments are not required at the September 12th blood drive, but they can speed the process. Appointments are required when you donate platelets. 

Blood donors must be in good general health and weigh at least 110 pounds.  They must know their Social Security number and bring signed or picture identification showing that they are at least 17 years old. Travel restriction may apply.  For more information about donating whole blood or platelets, call the Red Cross at one of the number listed above.