Blood Bank
"Receiving the Gift of Life"
The Blood Bank at Hunterdon Medical Center is a valuable resource for the Hunterdon County Community. Eighty percent of the blood supply used at Hunterdon Medical Center is donated by local residents.
The Blood Bank is regulated and inspected by the NJ Board of Health and the FDA. What does that mean to you? As a donor or a recipient of blood, this indicates adherence to strict industry standards for medical, technical and administrative procedures and professional proficiency.
Our hours are:
Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Fridays by appointment from 9:00 a.m. to noon. While walk-ins are welcome, we do encourage you to call ahead to avoid a long wait.
The process of donating is simple. Your visit to donate should take one hour or less, and your body quickly replaces the blood you donate.
The American Red Cross estimates that donors provide over 13 million units of blood each year. It's a gift of life. Will this be the year that you join them?
Here is a list of frequently asked questions that may help you decide to become a blood donor.
- Who can be a donor?
To be eligible to donate blood a person must be at least 17 years of age, be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not donated in the past eight weeks and are not currently taking antibiotics or insulin (only if of a "bovine" nature).
- What happens when I donate?
You will be asked about your medical history and current health. Your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and blood iron level will be checked.
- Will I feel any pain when I donate?
You will feel a slight pinch. After you donate, you can resume your usual routine.
- How much blood can I give?
You can only give a pint. This isn't very much when you consider you have 8 to 11 pints in your body.
- Can I get infections or diseases from donating blood?
NO. All the equipment and materials used during the donating process are sterile and used only once. You cannot get AIDS or any other diseases from donating blood.
- Where can I donate blood?
At the Blood Bank at the Hunterdon Medical Center. For more information about how you can donate blood, please call Hunterdon Medical Center's Blood Donor Service at (908) 788-6405.
- I take medication for high blood pressure: can I become a donor?
Yes. Deferral for most drugs is based on the nature of the underlying condition. Acceptable medications - which do not have an impact on donating blood - include anti-hypertensives (taken to control high blood pressure); oral contraceptives; hormone replacement therapy (HRT); aspirin, vitamins, etc.
There is a 7-day deferral after completing a course of antibiotics.
Check with Blood Bank staff about your medications.
- What situations can prevent me from donating?
ALLERGIES, COLD OR FLU: Defer until symptom free
BODY PIERCING: defer for one year. (Ear or body piercing or acupuncture performed by aseptic technique in a medically supervised setting with disposable needles and no sign of infection is acceptable with a letter from the establishment where the procedure was performed.)
TATTOOS: Defer for one year.
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS: Defer for one year.
PREGNANCY: Defer for 6 weeks following delivery or termination.
SURGERY: Defer until discharged by physician/surgeon.
SKIN CANCER (squamous or basal cell carcinoma): Acceptable if surgically removed and healed.
TRAVEL TO MALARIAL AREA (with or without medications): Defer for one year
LIVED IN A MALARIAL AREA: Defer for three years.
IMMUNIZATION FOR SMALLPOX: Defer until scab separates spontaneously or for 21 days after the vaccination, whichever is the later date. If you experience complications, defer for 14 days after they are resolved.
IMMUNIZATION FOR FLU OR PNEUMONIA: Defer for two weeks.
IMMUNIZATION FOR HEPATITIS B: Defer for one day.
ACCUTANE OR PROPECIA: Defer for one month.
CANCER (other than localized skin cancer): Defer pending approval of Medical Director if you have been cancer-free for 5 years.
LEUKEMIA: Permanent deferral.
HEART DISEASE: Defer pending approval of physician.
TOOTH EXTRACTION OR ROOT CANAL: Defer for 72 hours.
IMMUNIZATION FOR LYME DISEASE: Defer for one day.
Give the Gift of Life: become a blood donor today.
Request a brochure about Blood Donor Services