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Novartis Sponsors Community Outreach for NJN
Statewide – For the third consecutive year, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is sponsoring the Community Outreach program for NJN’s annual Benefit Celebration that will be held on June 2, 2009 at The Heldrich in New Brunswick to support NJN Public Television and Radio. The company’s generous sponsorship support has enabled NJN to recognize the blood donation community this year, and work with the New Jersey Hospital Association and Blood Bank Task Force to invite individuals involved in blood donation efforts across the state to attend the NJN Benefit Concert at the State Theatre following the Benefit Reception.
“Novartis is committed to improving the health and well-being of New Jersey’s residents,” said Kevin Rigby, vice president of public affairs and communications at Novartis. “As Chair of the New Jersey Workplace Blood Donor Coalition, Novartis recognizes the critical role individuals can play by donating blood to save people’s lives. We are grateful to NJN for helping us convey this important message, and we applaud New Jersey’s public broadcasting network for providing high quality news and public affairs programs that enlighten and inform the community.”
In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the members of the Workplace Blood Donor Coalition, Novartis is seeking to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and the need for New Jersey to have a self-sustaining blood supply. While 60 percent of the state’s adult population is eligible to donate blood, only 3.6 percent actually donate. As a result, for more than a decade New Jersey has had to purchase blood from other states.
The Coalition is actively seeking employer participation in holding blood drives because workplaces are responsible for about 50 percent of statewide blood donation efforts. More information about blood donation can be found at the DHSS website, www.njsave3lives.com, named on behalf of the fact that a one pint donation of whole blood can save three lives.
"Nine out of ten people need blood at some time in their lives," said Heather Howard, Commissioner of the DHSS. "Yet, often New Jersey has less than a two-day supply of blood on hand. The State is encouraging broader donor participation in response to this critical need. Governor Corzine recently signed a law lowering the donor age from 17 to 16, enabling 16-year-olds to participate in high school and community blood drives."
"As a co-founder of the New Jersey Workplace Blood Donor Coalition," Commissioner Howard added, "DHSS is pleased to be working with Novartis and its other partners in the private sector to increase workplace blood drives and expand the State's employee donor base.”
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