January 6, 2006

MOORESTOWN FRIENDS/ROTARY TO SPONSOR BLOOD DRIVE AT MFS

MOORESTOWN, NJ -- An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 2, in the West Building gymnasium of Moorestown Friends School, 110 E. Main St. This is the ninth year a February blood drive has been held at the school.

Donors need to be in good health, at least 17 years old and weigh 110 lbs. Federal regulations require that donors wait 56 days between donations. A form of identification is required for all donors.

The drive, which is being co-sponsored by Moorestown Friends School and the Moorestown Rotary Club, is being held to help meet ongoing critical needs. The Red Cross must collect at least 7,200 pints of blood each week to serve patients in southeastern Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey. One blood donation could potentially help three different people. Both rare and common blood types are needed.

National Red Cross officials have noted that traditionally, there are fewer donations in the winter months although the need remains constant.

It takes the average individual about one hour to donate blood -- about seven to ten minutes for the actual donation, with additional time required for registration, pre-screening and follow-up monitoring. The average adult has between 10 and 12 pints of blood, so the body quickly replaces a donated pint.

To schedule an appointment and for information about the Blood Drive at Moorestown Friends School, call Regina Burke at (856)235-2900, ext. 202. The school is located at the intersection of Main St. and Chester Ave. in Moorestown. Directions can be found on the school’s web site: www.mfriends.org.