NJBS welcomed elected officials, healthcare leaders, and community members for a ribbon-cutting event and celebration of the new donor center
New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art donor center at 4345 Route 9 in Freehold at a grand opening event on December 2nd at 10:30am. NJBS was joined by Acting Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Health Jeffrey Brown, New Jersey State Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, MD, Monmouth County Commissioner Deputy Director Susan Kiley, Freehold Township Committeeman Alan Walker, Dr. James Matera of CentraState Healthcare System, and other local community leaders at the event.
The new donor center is now welcoming appointments and walk-ins for all donations. The Freehold location marks NJBS’s fifth donor center statewide and second in Monmouth County, underscoring the organization’s commitment to investing in permanent donor centers that make giving blood easier and more convenient for local residents.
“New Jersey Blood Services is excited to be expanding our presence in Monmouth County with the opening of our second new donor center in the area this year,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Regional Operations at New Jersey Blood Services. “It is our hope that this new space will make blood donation more convenient and accessible for local residents, and we encourage folks to make an appointment today as we head into the holiday season when donations typically decline.”
“A strong blood supply is a shared responsibility, and it’s not something we can take for granted,” said Jeff Brown, Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner. “Whether it’s a child undergoing cancer treatment, a teenager with sickle cell anemia needing regular transfusions, or a neighbor in a car accident, patients across New Jersey are depending on the generosity of strangers. Preventing blood shortages starts with a simple act: Choosing to roll up your sleeve and give.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the new donor center, NJBS continues to face significant blood supply challenges. The region currently has just a 3–4-day supply of blood on hand, well below the ideal 7-day inventory, with several critical types, including B-, O+, and O-, down to only a 1-day supply. Thanksgiving week collections fell roughly 20% short of what is needed, resulting in about 1,500 fewer donations, and additional donors are urgently needed in the coming weeks to recover from the holiday shortfall and stabilize the region’s blood supply.
