Number Of The Day
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50,000
New Jersey imported nearly 50,000 pints of blood in 2010, and for the past 16 years has used more blood than it collects, according to the state Department of Health and Senior Services.
Indeed, due to New Jersey's chronic blood shortage, hospitals typically have less than a two-day supply of blood on hand. Only 3.6 percent of the state's adults donate blood each year, while 60 percent are eligible to do so, according to state Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd. With one pint of blood able to save three lives, and 90 percent of the population needing blood at some point in their lives, officials are urging the public to donate. Learn more about how to donate blood or organize a blood drive.
