NJ blood banks struggling to replenish supplies

Blood banks in New Jersey are issuing an urgent call for more donors as they try to meet demand from hospitals.

Community Blood Services in Montvale has less than a day’s supply of blood on its shelves.

The group’s president. Dr. Dennis Todd, said donations dropped over the past three weeks because of stormy weather.

“The people just aren’t showing up and, then with the school cancelling or starting late, they’ve cancelled blood drives that we’ve had with them,” he said. ” So that’s a major impact on our ability to collect because right now is the prime time to collect blood from high school students.”

Postponed flights at area airports also delayed the arrival of blood supplies from other states, rendering them useless when they arrived.

Blood banks are appealing for more donors so hospitals can meet the needs of patients and avoid having to cancel surgical procedures.