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 drive comes as the region faces a blood emergency. New York Blood Center, the parent organization of New Jersey Blood Services, declared a blood emergency in July 2026 after the regional blood supply fell to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic. Summer is consistently one of the hardest seasons for blood collection, as regular donors travel and school and workplace drives pause.
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 good 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 simple way to make a direct impact close to home. A single donation can help save multiple lives, and blood collected locally supports hospitals and patients across New Jersey.
To schedule an appointment, residents can sign up at nybc.org/wmljuly28.
