GIVE BLOOD: Hoboken Organizing Blood Donation Drives to Accommodate Demand

In the midst of an unprecedented health crisis, people are wondering what they can do to help.

Blood donation is one of the most effective ways for individuals to respond to a widespread medical emergency. With that in mind, Hoboken is working to meet the demand for blood and the overwhelming response from potential donors.

“To help with the national blood shortage, we are hosting an additional blood drive in Hoboken on April 17 from 12 -6 pm (we had one advertised on April 24 but was quickly filled),” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. These donation events have come about after the initial drive scheduled for April 8 booked out immediately.

We keep planning blood drives, and they keep filling up! As a result of the incredible community response from #Hoboken residents, we have added a third date with @VitalantNJ – Fri 4/17 from 12-6pm at the MSC. Please register at: https://t.co/kSrWx4hYn7 #BloodDrive pic.twitter.com/NjKgxQY0ih

— Emily Jabbour, Councilperson-At-Large (@HobokenEmily) April 7, 2020

“We are hosting these [blood drives] over at the Multi-Service Center (124 Grand Street) in Hoboken,” said John Ferramosca, who is working with the Red Cross and Vitalant to organize the donations. Ferramosca helped spearhead a drive under similar circumstances, in the wake of the tragic train crash at the Hoboken Terminal in 2016.

“They just booked up to capacity (over 250 donors), but we’re working to add more slots and set up additional drives.”

For information on the April 17 drive, CLICK HERE.

“The blood drive has strict social distancing requirements and is by appointment only,” stressed Mayor Bhalla.

As more drives are announced, hMAG will share that information with our readers immediately.

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