PARSIPPANY, NJ (TIP: Dozens of members of the local community committed its focus to the annual BAPS Charities Blood Drive in Parsippany, NJ.  With a continuous need for blood donors from a diversity of backgrounds, the blood drive, held on Sunday 25^th June 2017, gave community members an opportunity to save lives and close the gap on supply shortages faced by blood banks.

A total of 26 pints of blood were collected, which has the potential to save up to 78 lives in the community.  Through a local partnership with Red cross, all of the collections were donated to local blood banks to serve nearby communities.

The Blood Drive organized by BAPS Charities is a crucial part of national efforts to address shortages.  Statistics suggest that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood.  According to the American Red Cross, the majority of blood donations come from local, community-based drives such as this.

 “We are happy for the opportunity to do this service on a regular basis and assist area agencies through our community’s contribution,” said Shailesh Patel referring to the event.

BAPS Charities also used the event as a platform to raise awareness around the need for regular blood donations and the significant impact they have, especially during demanding periods. Punit Patel from Parsippany, a blood drive participant, remarked, “I am glad to have come out today and participated in the blood drive.  It is empowering to know that my donation could potentially save someone’s life and I look forward to sharing what I have learned with my friends and colleagues at work, so they will hopefully do the same.”

The Blood Drive event is one of several service events held by BAPS Charities each year.  Health fairs, walkathons, children’s health and safety events, and bone marrow drives are also held annually and in multiple locations across the country.  Through these activities, BAPS Charities aims to develop a broader spirit of volunteerism to enable individuals of all ages to make meaningful contributions to society.

 (SOURCE: BAPS Charities)