Bayonne hosting blood drive Sept. 8 to replenish critically low supply

BAYONNE – A blood drive will be held on Monday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the City Hall Fire House, 27th Street and Avenue C.
The drive, being held to respond to the critically low blood supply, is being co-sponsored by the Bayonne Fire and Police departments.
“Area blood banks are short of all blood types, so all blood types are welcome at this drive,” said city spokesman Joseph Ryan. Supplies of O negative, O positive, A negative, and B negative are especially low.
The drive will also include a bone marrow registry. Blood donors will have the option to be screened for a bone marrow match. Registry participants must be at least 18.
Officials ask prospective donors to bring signed or picture identification and to know their Social Security numbers. Any adult who is physically able is welcome to donate. Prospective donors 16 or 17 years old may donate blood if they can produce completed parental consent forms that are available from the Blood Center of New Jersey.
Health professionals will screen prospective donors before blood is drawn. There will be a free cholesterol check for participants.
In order to prevent donors from being weak after giving blood, drive organizers ask them to eat a meal beforehand.
For more information, call the Blood Center of New Jersey at (800) 652-5663, ext. 100. Anyone who has traveled recently outside of the United States, or who has other eligibility questions, should call (973) 676-4700, ext. 132.