From the Desk of the Executive Director
Churches, Synagogues Play Big Role In Central Jersey’s Blood Supply
Religious institutions play a critical role in providing an adequate supply of blood for hospitals in central New Jersey. Lacking large factories, industrial parks, or high rise buildings employing thousands of white collar workers, CJBC relies on community based organizations for a surprisingly large percent of its donor base. Churches and synagogues, along with schools, lay the foundation for our weekly collection schedules that must bring in over 700 units of blood each week. Anything less and hospitals run the risk of delayed surgeries.
Getting someone to donate blood for the first time is generally recognized, through experience and research, to be much harder than asking for a monetary donation. The appeal must elicit a desire to help another in need. That’s why blood drives at churches and synagogues produce such wonderful results if a strong organizing effort precedes the drive. Altruistic service, giving to others without expectations of receiving anything in return, goes to the heart of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Blood donation, giving the gift of life to the sick and injured, puts into practice one of the basic tenets of this tradition.
Isabel Jacobs, blood drive chairperson for the Marlboro Jewish Center, knows a thing or two about donating blood. She’s been running the Center’s blood drive for 27 years! Isabel notes, “the third generation of blood donors is now coming to the blood drives: grandparents, parents, and grandchildren”. She tries to schedule drives so the college age members have the opportunity to give.
With nearly 900 families at the synagogue, making a blood drive successful takes dedicated work and attention to detail. According to Isabel, “It all starts with our Rabbi appealing to the congregation to give the gift of life”. He uses a wonderful quote that touches everyone, “If you saved one life, it’s as if you’ve saved the whole world.” After this call to action, Isabel uses every means available to recruit and remind people of the date, time, and schedules for the drive. Every newsletter and weekly bulletin reinforces the message. But Isabel goes beyond written announcements. She knows, “that everyone needs a call to personally ask them to come and donate, and now I tell them to bring a friend”. Those all important calls go to everyone who has donated in the past two years.
Isabel’s system works and it’s an important lesson for anyone who has responsibility for recruiting blood donors. First, personally ask each and every potential donor to give. Second, make the time and location convenient, and, third, recognize and reward people for their effort and their gift of life.
Big Catholic parishes run wonderful blood drives, and Holy Innocent in Neptune is one of the biggest and most efficient church blood drives in central New Jersey. Regina Basilone and Tricia Caputo put in at least four full days planning, organizing, and calling parishioners to request their donations for both of the two yearly drives. The latest drive in November, 2004 topped 100 donations.
Just as Isabel approaches the task, they realize that their pastor must call parishioners to their obligation to give back to the friends, neighbors, and unknown patients who await a transfusion. Regina attends every Mass prior to Blood Drive Sunday asking for support, and also asks those who can no longer donate to bring in home-baked cakes and cookies for refreshment.
One of ingredients of a successful blood drive at Holy Innocent means scheduling the blood drive dates when CCD classes are in session. Not only do you get the teenage donors but their parents come along to make it a family affair. The involvement of youth also plays an important part in having ample volunteers to keep the beltline going throughout the day, when each Mass lets out, and congregants line up for donation. The R.O.T.C. class at Wall High School helps with crowd control, canteen duty, and general friendliness and assistance. With such a large group coming at the same time, Regina and Tricia organize a line with numerous stations for each step of the process: registration, history completion, vital signs, interview, donation, and ending with refreshment.
Regina notes, “Our donors really love the automated collection machines for double red cells. We’re ready to move into automated platelet apheresis at our future drives.” With the continuing decline of blood donors due to the aging population and more deferrals, CJBC looks to automated collections to maintain our supply by collecting two red cells from all eligible donors. How do they top off the experience for the donors? T-Shirts, raffles for prizes, and even a meal at Meritage, the Basilone’s restaurant in Wall Township.
We salute the commitment of all our churches and synagogues that put their faith into practice by hosting and organizing blood drives for Central Jersey Blood Center. There is no truer expression of love and faith than giving back to others that which has been given to us.
The Gift of Life
Written by Lucille Tanguay, CJBC Donor
It was approximately 11:00 on Christmas morning 2002 when my daughter called from Virginia on her cell phone to wish us a Merry Christmas. She, her husband, and stepson were on their way to spend Christmas Day with her in-laws in Richmond. She was very happy and excited as we spoke about her baby, who was due in mid January.
Two minutes after we ended our call, a car traveling in the opposite direction lost control and hit them head-on. My beautiful 5 lb. 2 oz. unborn granddaughter was lost, and my daughter would spend the next thirty-six hours fighting for her own life at a nearby hospital. It took three surgeons, two anesthesiologists, four nurses, and eight strangers to save her. The eight strangers were the blood donors who gave the eight units of blood she needed within the first eight hours after the accident.
Our family will never know or be able to thank those blood donors, but I would like to think that somehow they realize what a great gift they gave us that Christmas Day, for without them, we would have also lost my daughter.
Are you aware of how often there are blood shortages? Are you able to donate blood, but find yourself making excuses, such as you are afraid, or are too busy, or perhaps will only give for someone you know? If so, please think about the eight strangers who helped to save my daughter's life, and please consider becoming one of the many strangers who regularly give the Gift of Life! |
Read All About It! Volunteers Needed!
Central Jersey Blood Center is in desperate need of volunteers to staff their blood drives during the week. Volunteers help by registering donors and assisting them after donation. Most blood drives are in Monmouth County, but volunteers are also needed from Ocean County and Union County. Volunteers who want to stay local are needed as well as ones willing to travel 30 minutes to get to blood drives. Volunteers should have transportation and a great attitude! Blood drive volunteers make a real difference to donors, staff, and the community. If interested, please call Liz Walter, Volunteer Services Coordinator at 732-842-5750 ext. 226
Cheers for Volunteers!
Volunteers are essential to Central Jersey Blood Center. Our volunteer staff plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the Blood Center.
Some FAQ:
Why volunteer for CBJC?
Because we are non-profit, our volunteers fulfill a very important role. Their time and talents allow us to collect blood from the community and to serve the local hospitals and the people who need it most.
What do volunteers do?
There are as many ways to volunteer at CBJC as there are volunteers! Volunteers can work at blood drives or in the office- or both. They can have a regular schedule, or come in occasionally, and there are even some projects that can be done from home!
On blood drives:
Registration- volunteers register people to donate. They make prospective donors feel at ease.
Canteen- volunteers assist donors after donation, making sure they have something to eat and drink and that they wait the prescribed time before leaving the donor area.
In the office:
Clerical or special projects– volunteers donate their time in a variety of ways. Some help the accounting, business, or other offices. Some help with mailings– getting out postcards and letters to potential and past donors. Some make phone calls to remind donors of appointments. Others do data entry for us.
Canteen– volunteers assist donors who come into the center to donate.
How much time commitment is required?
This depends on the volunteer! Some volunteers keep a weekly schedule; others come in once a month; still others volunteer for special projects only. If you would like to donate your time or skills, we will find the best way for you to do it.
Our volunteers are special!
We recognize our volunteers every year with a volunteer luncheon. We remember their birthdays and celebrate their milestones. Our volunteers are both an important part of our organization as well as our friends, and the work they do is essential to us. If you are interested in volunteering at CJBC, please call Liz Walter at 732-842-5750, ext. 226 or email her at lwalter@cjbcblood.org.
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