News Release

Blood Center of New Jersey Selected to Pilot
New Blood Banking Technology

The Blood Center of New Jersey (BCNJ) will begin state-of-the art automated blood collections this month, with the goal to help ease chronic blood shortages in this area.  BCNJ was selected by Baxter Healthcare as one of just 6 blood centers nationwide to pilot its new technology.  "Alyx" is an automated system that allows a blood donor to make a double donation of red cells at one visit.

Red blood cells are primarily collected through manual whole blood donations.  Each unit of whole blood is separated into components, producing a single transfusion dose of red blood cells.  The Alyx system can collect two transfusion doses of red blood cells from a single donor through a fast, automated process that retains only the desired blood component and returns the remaining blood components and saline to the donor in an average of just 22 minutes. 

 "We are very excited to be able to offer this new technology," said Eric Senaldi, MD, medical director for the blood center.  "We think donors will enjoy the benefits of the Alyx and will feel great about the fact that they can touch more lives with one donation."

The "Alyx" is a light-weight portable instrument that can be used at donor centers and at community blood drives.   The pilot project begins on March 24^th and is expected to last six weeks. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of donors will qualify for this type of donation.  Because donors on the Alyx system are giving two units of red blood cells instead of one, the donor criteria is slightly more restrictive in terms of height, weight, and hemoglobin levels.

"In this area, we face continuing shortages of red cells, "Dr. Senaldi noted.  "With more stringent regulations for donors, an aging population, and advanced surgical techniques, there is a critical need to find more effective and efficient ways to maintain an adequate blood supply.  Having the opportunity to get a double donation will go a long way towards reaching that goal."

The first 50 donors who qualify for the automated donation will receive tee shirts.

The Blood Center of New Jersey is an independent, non-profit organization supplying blood and blood components to hospitals in eight counties in northern and central New Jersey.  All blood is collected, tested, processed and distributed in the area.

For more information on this new technology, contact Judy Daniels at 1-800-652-5663, x104 or log onto www.bloodnj.org.