New Jersey is once again facing a critical blood shortage and there is a desperate need for blood donations.

American Red Cross New Jersey Region explains that the blood shortage is due to the busy holiday season and that it is normal for there to be fewer donations.

However, there were at least 500 fewer volunteer blood drives this year than what is required to provide blood for the Garden State. .

It is estimated that there is less than two days of blood supply left.

All blood types and components are needed but there is definitely a need for blood platelets and Blood Type 0, the universal donor.

“Lifesaving medical treatments and emergencies never take a holiday,” Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in a statement. “Declines in donations can affect patient care. That’s why the Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to make an appointment to give now and help those sidelined by illness and trauma.”

Here are the blood drives happening in South Jersey:

Thursday, January 9th
Pleasantville Blood Donation Center
850 N. Franklin Avenue, Pleasantville
12:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Friday, January 10th
Atlantic County Library
40 Farragut Avenue, Mays Landing
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday, January 11th
Victory Bible Church
816 South Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Sunday, January 12th
Lowe's Home Improvement
3171 Route 9 South
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Monday, January 13th
Zion Lutheran Church
312 Philadelphia Avenue, Egg Harbor City
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Monday, January 13th
Moose Hall
187 W. Wheat Road, Vineland
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Tuesday, January 14th
Pleasantville Blood Donation Center
850 N. Franklin Avenue, Pleasantville
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Tuesday, January 14th
Resorts Hotel Casino
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Tuesday, January 14th
Ramada Inn
2216 W. Landis Avenue, Vineland
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Thursday, January 16th
Pleasantville Blood Donation Center
850 N. Franklin Avenue, Pleasantville
12:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Thursday, January 16th
Borough Hall of West Cape May
732 Broadway Street, Cape May
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Saturday, January 18th
Pleasantville Blood Donation Center
850 N. Franklin Avenue, Pleasantville
7:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Tuesday, January 21st
Pleasantville Blood Donation Center
850 N. Franklin Avenue, Pleasantville
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Tuesday, January 21st
First Baptist Church of Cape May
101 S. Main Street, Cape May
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Tuesday, January 21st
Second Cape May Baptist
600 S. Shore Road, Marmora
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

You can also search for additional blood drives in your area by clicking HERE.

If a significant number of people DO NOT donate, then hospitals are going to have to prioritize the use of their blood supply. This means that non-emergency surgeries will have to be postponed or canceled so the blood can help those in critical need.

To donate to Red Cross, you can use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

You can also check out the original article at NJ.com.

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