BAYONNE – The Bayonne Fire Department, in conjunction with Community Blood Services, will sponsor a blood drive on Monday, Sept. 14, from noon to 6 p.m. at the City Hall Fire House, 27th Street and Avenue C.
The blood drive will include a bone marrow registry drive in conjunction with Be the Match, through which a potential donor could be the cure for a person who has blood cancer, something diagnosed every three minutes in the United States.
“Organizers hope that Bayonne residents will participate in the registry in honor of it being September, which is both National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Sickle Cell Awareness Month,” said city spokesman Joe Ryan.
Bone marrow registry participants must be at least 18 years old and not more than 44 to register in person. Those 45 to 60 must register online. More information is available at bethematch.org.
The need for blood donation is great. An automobile accident victim may need up to 50 units of red blood cells.
Donors should be 17 to 75 and must weigh at least 110 pounds. Sixteen year olds may donate with a Community Blood Services parental consent form and proof of age. Donors over 75 must present a signed document from their doctor attesting they can give blood.
Medications taken by healthy individuals, such as aspirin, thyroid, diabetic, and blood pressure medications, are not reasons for deferral. Medications will be evaluated by blood center staff before donations.
Donors must show identification, such as a driver’s license. They should eat a full meal and drink fluids before arriving.
For more information, call Community Blood Services at (201) 444-3900.
Bayonne Fire Dept hosting blood drive Sept. 14
