The Mahwah Municipal Alliance is hosting a blood drive this Monday, June 18, in the downstairs classroom of the police station on Franklin Turnpike. The New Jersey Blood Services Drive will be held from 1-7 p.m.

Each donor must remember to eat and drink well before donating, and to bring identification with them.

Everyone who donates will also receive a free pair of Mets baseball tickets.

Walk-ins are welcome, but residents can make a reservation to donate by visiting tinyurl.com/MMABloodDrive or calling 1-800-933-2566. 

New Jersey Blood Services issued a release explaining the importance of donating blood at this or any other summer drive:

In response to an increased need for Rh negative blood, New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) a division of the New York Blood Center (NYBC) is urging our community to roll up its sleeves, donate blood, and ensure hospital demands continue to be met over the summer.

Each and every day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and plasma to stay alive. But blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.

“Summer is crunch time for us,” said NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis. “Potential donors go on vacation and the school term ends. We’re asking people to schedule a blood donation along with their other summer plans.”

Here are the Top Ten Facts About Our Community’s Summer Blood Supply:

1. People with O-negative blood are known as “universal donors” because their blood can be transfused to anyone.
2. Type O-negative blood is found in just six percent of the population, and is often transfused to patients with other blood types in emergency rooms and trauma situations.
3. People with Rh negative blood, including A-, B- and O-, comprise just 15% of the population.
4. People of all blood types and ethnicities are encouraged to donate, and are critical to maintaining the diversity of our blood supply.
5. The months of June, July and August continue to present challenges as schools and colleges close for the summer and employees leave for summer vacations. More than 25% of blood donations collected each year come from our high school and college blood drives.
6. Every two seconds, someone needs blood.
7. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), trauma accounts for 37 million emergency department visits and 2.6 million hospital admissions each year, nationwide.
8. Car accident and trauma victims may need 50 or more blood transfusions.
9. Police officers can be injured in the line of duty. First responders also face great danger during emergencies.
10. People can donate one pint of whole blood every 56 days and platelets every three days.