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Lakewood, NJ--- Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months because of the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations.
Kimball Medical Center is celebrating National Volunteer Blood Donor Month to encourage donors to give or pledge to give blood. This celebration highlights the importance of giving the gift of life through the donation of blood.
Blood transfusions are needed for trauma victims, heart surgery, organ transplants and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases such as sickle cell disease.
Every day in the United States, approximately 38,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities. Most people don’t realize that blood has a limited shelf life and needs to be replenished every 35 days.
Volunteer donors provide nearly all blood used for transfusion in the United States. A donor’s body replenishes the fluid lost from donation within 24-hours.
To be eligible to donate, a person must be in good health; must be 17 years of age; and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. All donors must complete a medical questionnaire as part of the pre-donation process.
Kimball Medical Center is hosting a volunteer blood drive on Tuesday, January 13 from 7 am until 1 pm in the Conference Centers at the hospital.
Appointments are not required, however if you would like to schedule an appointment to donate or would like further information, please call the Kimball Medical Center Blood Bank at (732) 886-2065.
Date: January 7, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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