New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) has declared a blood emergency and is issuing an urgent call for donors. Holiday disruptions, severe winter weather, canceled blood drives, and widespread seasonal illnesses have led to a significant decline in blood donations, resulting in critically low levels across the region.
In recent weeks, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, resulting in less than a two-day supply of blood for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area. The emergency declaration follows an exceptionally challenging end to the year, caused by a combination of events that sharply reduced blood donations.
- Severe winter weather, including heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain across New Jersey, led to disrupted travel and forced blood drive cancellations. Flu cases have surged to levels nearly double recent weeks, levels not typically seen until late January, as the state joins four others experiencing “very high” flu activity, according to the CDC.
- Major holiday disruptions – with Christmas and New Year’s falling on Thursday – typically one of the highest collection days each week – have resulted in a near-total loss of mid-week donations for two consecutive weeks and approximately 10,000 fewer donations than needed to meet hospital demand
While January marks National Blood Donor Month, this year’s observance in New Jersey comes during an active emergency, when patients cannot wait. Because blood has a limited shelf life, immediate donations are critical to stabilizing the supply and preventing disruptions to patient care.
“When a blood emergency is declared, it means our health-care system faces real constraints right now in treating patients who need transfusions,” explained Jeff Brown, acting state health commissioner.
To help prevent emergencies, donors are encouraged to become All Seasons Lifesavers by making blood donation a routine part of their lives and giving once each season in 2026. NJBS also offers additional donor frequency programs based on donation type, recognizing those who give consistently throughout the year.
For more information visit https://www.nybc.org/donate-blood/donor-loyalty-programs/
To make an appointment, donors can call (800) 933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NJBS’ mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time.
For more information, visit https://www.nybc.org/support-us/
