CINJ experts available to comment on blood donations

Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. According to the American Red Cross, more than 38,000 blood donations are needed each day. With just one donation of a pint of blood, up to three lives can be saved. In New Jersey, according to the state Department of Health and Senior Services, fewer than four percent of eligible residents donate regularly, resulting in the need for critical blood donations.

Donating blood throughout the year is extremely important. However, the demand for blood is highest during the holiday period as the donor turnout takes a plunge due to inclement weather, busy shopping schedules, and the arrival of flu season. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is making experts available to comment on the importance and uses of blood donations, especially for children with blood disorders treated at CINJ. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Blood donations are not only used for emergency surgery, but also for everyday needs such as transfusions and treatments for ill children who suffer from blood disorders such as sickle cell disease. Many children in the New Jersey region affected by this disease are treated at the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, which is a component of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at CINJ. The center operates as a statewide referral program for the diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease and other related blood illnesses.

CINJ experts available for comment include:

Richard Drachtman, MD, is the interim division chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at CINJ, and a professor of pediatrics at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. His expertise/research interests include pediatric oncology, hematology and sickle cell disease.

Beth Savage, RN, MSN, CPNP, is a pediatric nurse practitioner who works with Dr. Drachtman in examining and treating pediatric sickle cell patients and others with varied blood disorders at CINJ.