Donors, community members, volunteers and employees with the American Red Cross New Jersey Region gathered recently to celebrate the dedication of the Carol Stillwell Reception and Welcome Lounge at the American Red Cross Tinton Falls Blood Donation Center.

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Wendy Vara, Regional Executive, American Red Cross New Jersey Region said,

^{_{“We are so pleased to offer donors a comfortable and welcoming lounge, thanks to the generosity of Carol Stillwell}.}”

Assemblywoman Margie Donlon attended the event and presented the American Red Cross New Jersey Region with a proclamation commemorating the day. She said, “This will be a hub that saves lives. Carol Stillwell’s generosity leaves a legacy that impacts beyond Monmouth County and contributes to the global reputation of the Red Cross.”

The Red Cross began collecting blood and platelet donations at the new Tinton Falls Donation Center on October 7, 2025. It is one of three new blood donation centers the Red Cross has opened in New Jersey in the past few years.

While blood drives continue to operate at businesses, schools, churches and other locations throughout the region, some donors may find it easier to fit blood donation into their busy schedules at convenient, fixed locations with consistent hours.

Donation Centers are the only places the Red Cross collects platelets – tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. With a shelf life of only five days, platelets are in constant demand to treat patients with cancer and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

Carol Stillwell is proud to be a part of the donor experience, as she explained during her remarks. “I never knew how successful I would be at business, but I often said I wanted to be a welcome person at a major retailer,” she shared.

^{_{“I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more than to have that welcome plaque on the door here. So welcome and come on in donors, come on in employees, come on in volunteers!”}}

The event further came alive when Eric Becher, a Red Cross volunteer, shared his story as a dedicated platelet donor. Eric was the first donor to roll up his sleeves at this Blood Donation Center. Guests were also guided on tours of the Disaster Operation Center and the disaster supply warehouse, where volunteers walked them through what a large disaster response might look like. A tour of the new Blood Donation Center was included as well.

Just prior to the conclusion of the event and the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Central New Jersey Board of Directors unveiled a surprise dedication of a Health History Room to Gary Olivero, a long-time volunteer, blood donor and former Board Chair.

Having a readily available blood supply is vital for patients whose survival depends on blood transfusions. Donating blood is essential to community health, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. By making an appointment to give blood or platelets at the Tinton Falls Red Cross Blood Donation Center, donors can feel good knowing that they may be helping patients not only in their community, but also their family and friends across the nation. The Tinton Falls center is the fifth fixed site location in New Jersey for the Red Cross, joining the Princeton, Pennsauken, Delran, and Fairfield donation centers. In addition to Red Cross Blood Donation Centers, individuals are also able to give blood at Red Cross blood drives across New Jersey.

How to donate blood or platelets

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). A blood donors’ card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health, may be eligible to donate blood.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, before arriving at their appointment. To get started, follow the instructions at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.