Places in North Jersey to give blood amid shortage

The American Red Cross is offering incentives for eligible residents to donate blood amid an ongoing nationwide shortage, and there are plenty of available locations in North Jersey.

Anyone who signs up to donate by March 24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of their choice, the Red Cross announced in a press release Monday. Five donors during that time period will also receive a $3,000 gift card from the organization.

The promotion comes during Red Cross Month, celebrated each March since 1943 to honor “community heroes” such as blood and platelet donors who help save lives.

In January, the Red Cross announced an emergency blood shortage, as the rate of donors has fallen by about 40% over the past 20 years. The drop-off is significant, the organization explained, as even small interruptions in donations can have severe consequences for those in immediate need of a blood transfusion.

Below is a list of upcoming donation opportunities from the Red Cross, with spots available through the end of March. For more details, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS.

Bergen County

● Leonia, March 19: 1 to 6 p.m., Presbyterian Church in Leonia, 181 Fort Lee Road.

● North Arlington, March 20: 2 to 7 p.m., North Arlington Elks Lodge 1992, 129 Ridge Road.

Passaic County

● Hawthorne, March 31: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Center of North Jersey, 131 Wagaraw Road.

Morris County

● Mountain Lakes, March 21: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, 100 Fanny Road.

● Parsippany, March 25: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Hilton Parsippany, 1 Hilton Court.

● Randolph, March 29: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bible Church International, 791 Route 10 east.

Essex County

● Montclair, March 18: 1 to 6 p.m., Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Ave.

● Newark, March 20: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Newark Liberty International Airport/ Terminal A Delta Airlines, 3 Brewster Road.

Another health care company, Vitalant, regularly organizes blood, platelets and plasma drives on select days of the week. Vitalant also organizes mobile blood drives at various other locations. For more information, visit communitybloodservices.org or call 201-4443900.

● Paramus Donor Center, One West Ridgewood Ave., Suite 208. Appointments available Sunday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.