New Jersey’s statewide blood shortage, which began in early 2026, ended March 7, according to officials at a local donation center.
The New York Blood Center & New Jersey Blood Service declared a blood emergency on Jan. 6 and urged residents to donate. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, blood reserves were dangerously low. At one point, New Jersey had less than a one-week supply of red blood cells and less than a day’s supply of platelets.
One local facility that helped combat the shortage is the American Red Cross donation center in Princeton, New Jersey. The center collects blood from donors in the surrounding region and ships the collected blood to be distributed. With the exception of holidays, the donation center is open daily.
Unlike blood drives, where usually only whole blood is collected, the Princeton center collects components of blood like red cells, platelets, plasma, as well as whole blood. Each type benefits different patients.
Red cells are used to treat trauma and surgery patients. Platelets are used to treat cancer patients, organ transplant patients and surgery patients. Plasma is used to treat patients with burns and bleeding disorders.
People can come into the center and donate whichever component they want. They can walk in or schedule an appointment.
Belinda Baa, the supervisor of the Princeton donation center, oversees operations and makes sure everything runs smoothly. When asked about why the blood shortage happened, she attributed it partially to the severe winter weather.
Baa said, “We just had a really big snowstorm twice. We don’t want people to come out here and jeopardize their life because that defeats the purpose [of donating blood].”
According to the American Red Cross website, the winter storms forced the cancellation of more than 500 blood drives nationwide, leaving approximately 20,000 potential blood donations uncollected.
Although recent winter storms contributed to the drop in blood supplies, Baa said shortages are common during this time of year. She explained that donations often decline during the holiday season and winter break, when many people are traveling. Flu season can also prevent otherwise eligible donors from giving blood.
Baa said, “Being sick is a big deal. We can’t take your blood. A flu, cold, or an infection can pass to somebody else and wind up killing somebody.”
According to the American Blood Centers website, about 62% of the U.S. population, roughly 212 million people, are eligible to donate blood, yet only 3% do each year. For some residents, donating blood is not something they regularly consider.
Jim Serrano, a Princeton resident, said he has not donated blood recently. “No, I haven’t. It’s just something I don’t really do.”
drives regularly such as this one in 2020. PHOTO | College VOICE File Photo
Some MCCC students are not usually aware that a blood drive is happening. When asked about blood drives on campus, Sarah Hannah, an MCCC student, said, “I’ve never heard of one or no one told me. If I knew there was a blood drive, I wouldn’t mind donating.”
The blood shortage in New Jersey continued until March 7. According to an email Baa received, the shortage officially stopped on that date and the appeal to the public for blood donations ended. Baa said, “the donors picked back up, that’s what stops the shortage.”
Donation centers like this one in Princeton play an essential role in supporting hospitals across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Princeton center sends its collected blood to a lab in Philadelphia.
Amir Sorrell, a phlebotomist and apheresis technician at the Princeton donation center, said, “so everything goes to Philly just for them to test, make sure it’s a qualified product to be able to be sent out to hospitals.”
From Philadelphia, the blood gets transported to wherever it is needed most.
If students would like to donate, they can go to the American Red Cross website to find the nearest donation center or local blood drive.
“I’ve done two donations so far. I do it here and both of my donations went to a children’s hospital. So it felt amazing that I was not only helping transfer blood, but also helping to save a life as well” said Sorrell.
