After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage emergency. When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead, they can ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on.
Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood, as well as platelet donors. Donors of all blood types may schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling (800) 733-2767.
The Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of “Meg 2: The Trench,” to celebrate a summer of sharks and help stave off a summer blood and platelet shortage. All who donate through Aug. 12 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Those who donate throughout August will also get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice.
Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.
Upcoming local blood donation opportunities from Aug. 1-15 include:
North Arlington, Aug. 9, from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 129 Ridge Road; Nutley, Aug 15, from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Nutley Masonic Lodge, 175 Chestnut St.; and Jersey City, Aug. 11, at Christ Hospital, 176 Palisade Ave.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.