With blood supplies in the tristate area reaching critical levels, RWJBarnabas Health is launching a series of blood drives across New Jersey to replenish dwindling reserves, mitigate shortages, and meet patient demand. Although blood supplies generally run lower at the beginning of the year, the current shortage has been exacerbated by a highly active flu season, with more people in emergency rooms, and donors kept away from blood drives. If you can do it, know that your donation (the blood draw only takes a few minutes) can make a difference. Read on to find out if you qualify for the RWJBarnabas Health drives, where you can easily donate. (featured photo credit: istock/Svitlana Hulko)
Why it’s crucial to consider donating blood right now
RWJBarnabas Health is hosting a series of blood drives throughout January and February to encourage eligible donors of all blood types to make lifesaving blood and platelet donations, which are needed for surgeries, trauma care, childbirth, cancer care, and organ transplants, among other scenarios. January is designated Blood Donor Month, and according to New Jersey Blood Services, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, leaving more than 200 hospitals across the region with less than a two-day supply of blood. Donating blood typically takes less than an hour, and one donation can help save up to three lives. Sixty percent of New Jersey residents are eligible to donate blood, yet only 3.6 percent donate routinely.
Here’s how you can help—RWJBarnabas Health is calling on blood donors of all types, especially Type O and platelet donors, to help bolster the blood supply. All blood and platelet donations at RWJBarnabas Health blood drives or donor rooms remain within the system and impact local blood supply availability within a few days of donation. Donors must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds and parental consent is needed if 16 or 17 years old), and present photo identification. For more information on the new guidelines and IDA questionnaire, click here.
Where to go to donate blood in January and February
A complete list of upcoming blood drives includes:
RWJ Hamilton, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton (Roma Cafe)
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: 10:30 PM-4 PM
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark (Newark Strong Lobby)
Wednesday, January 28, 2026: 10 PM-4 PM
Maternal Health Blood Drive at Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, 24 Old York Road, Bridgewater (Catering Hall)
Monday, January 29, 2026: 11:30 AM-5:30 PM
Rahway Fitness and Wellness, 2121 Lamberts Mill Road, Scotch Plains
February 4, 2026: 12 PM-6 PM
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, 600 River Avenue, Patio and Conference Rooms, Lakewood, NJ
February 12, 2026: 1 PM-7 PM
Raritan Valley Road Runners @ NJIC3 (Interfaith Center for Center Care), Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19 South 2nd Avenue, Highland Park, NJ
February 14, 2026: 9:30 AM-3:30 PM
Bradley Beach Community @ Bradley Beach Fire Department, 815 Main Street, Bradley Beach, NJ
February 17, 2026: 11:30 AM-5 PM
Rutgers University, The Commons @ The Yard, 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
February 26, 2026: 11 AM–5 PM
Can’t make it to a Blood Drive? Here’s how to schedule a donation on your own time
To schedule an appointment at a fixed RWJBarnabas Health Donor Room, call 732-235-8100, ext. 221. Fixed donor locations are Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick (on the 4th floor of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Clinical Academic Building at 125 Paterson Street in New Brunswick) and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerset (at 110 Rehill Avenue in Somerville). Both are open Monday through Friday and select Saturdays. To schedule an appointment and for hours of operation, click here.
Making safety a priority
Rest assured—Donor Centers and all RWJBarnabas Health Blood Drives have safety protocols to protect all donors. These protocols include strict sanitary protocols, including disinfection of donor areas. Donors also receive free parking. Looking to help out locally? To organize a blood drive in your community, please contact Sally Wells at sally.wells@rwjbh.org or Michael Leviton at michael.leviton@rwjbh.org.
This post is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health to help all NJ Moms and their families stay healthy.
