New Jersey Blood Services will host an emergency community blood drive at the White Meadow Lake Community in Rockaway on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and organizers say donors are urgently needed.
The local drive lands in the middle of a regional crisis. New York Blood Center, the parent organization of New Jersey Blood Services, declared its second blood emergency of the summer in early July, the first time it has issued two emergencies in a single season. The regional blood supply has dropped to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving only about two days of blood on hand and less than half a day’s supply of type O-negative, the universal donor type that emergency rooms depend on.
Blood center officials point to a mix of extreme heat, severe storms, prolonged power outages, and a sharp drop in donor turnout. Summer is already one of the hardest stretches for collection, as regular donors travel and school and workplace drives pause. Low national inventories have made it harder to fill the gap from other regions.
The Rockaway drive will take place at the White Meadow Lake Community, 100 White Meadow Road. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors who give can join the Loyal Lifesaver program and earn premium gifts.
To donate, most people must be between 17 and 75 years old and meet minimum weight requirements. Sixteen-year-olds may give with a signed parental consent form. Officials recommend eating a full meal, drinking plenty of water, and bringing a photo ID, especially during the current stretch of hot summer weather.
For Rockaway and Morris County residents, the drive is a direct way to help close to home. A single donation can help save multiple lives, and blood collected locally supports patients across New Jersey.
To schedule an appointment, residents can sign up at nybc.org/wmljuly28.
