BAPS Charities launches massive blood drive in New Jersey

August 1, 2023

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Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried along with Council President Deborah Blakely, and Councilwoman Christine Ciaccio, inaugurate the largest Blood Drive in New Jersey at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ. PHOTO: courtesy BAPS

BAPS Charities, in collaboration with local hospitals and organizations, has launched a blood donation drive at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey.

Titled “75 Days of Hope,” the event aims to collect no less than 6,000 pints of blood over the next ten weeks, an August 1, 2023, press release from the organization said, describing the drive as one of the largest such efforts in the state, which would potentially impact 18,000 lives.

Group photo at the Swaminarayan Akshardham Blood Drive Inauguration From Left to Right: Kanu Patel, CEO, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; Councilwoman Christine Ciaccio; Robbin ville Mayor Dave Fried; Council President Deborah Blakely; BAPS Charities volunteer Yagnesh Patel; BAPS Charities volunteer Rajmayur Brahmbhatt. PHOTO: courtesy BAPS

Mayor Dave Fried (@mayordavefried), along with Council President Deborah Blakely and Councilwoman Christine Ciaccio, inaugurated the blood drive. Known for his “Pay it Forward” initiative, which has raised over $450,000 for those in need, as well as his advocacy for barrier-free housing, Mayor Fried recognized the Akshardham blood drive as a crucial opportunity to give back to the community, and praised the temple and the organization for its work to benefit people.

Organizers encouraged eligible donors from the area and across North America to come forward and participate. The donated blood will be distributed to hospitals and organizations within the region.

Blood drive participants donate blood at the largest Blood Drive launched in New Jersey organized at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ, July 31, 2023. PHOTO: courtesy BAPS

Notable partners supporting the drive include Miller-Keystone Blood Center, New Jersey Blood Services, RWJBarnabas Health, Vitalant, and The American Red Cross Robbinsville.

“The scale of this operation is truly unique, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Mayor FrIEd is quoted saying in the press release.

BAPS Charities has hosted nearly 500 blood drives in the US alone since 2006, the press release said, and add to that the numerous blood drives around the world, as well as other health care initiatives, such as those involving cancer treatment.

Sanskruti Brahmbhatt, a pre-med student at Seton Hall University and the President of the University Blood Initiative, expressed her gratitude, thanking BAPS for the initiative.