Jan 23, 2025 Bridgewater Mothers Partner With RWJBarnabas Health Blood Services for Maternal Health Awareness and National Blood Donor Month Drive on January 27

The three Bridgewater mothers leading the January 27 blood drive: Brianna Zarenkiewicz, Casey Cattell and Minal Patel

From left to right: The three Bridgewater mothers leading the January 27 blood drive: Brianna Zarenkiewicz, Casey Cattell and Minal Patel, have personal connections to this cause. They met when their children were attending the same elementary school.

(Bridgewater, NJ) – Three Bridgewater moms have joined together with RWJBarnabas Health Blood Services to host a Blood & Platelet Drive in recognition of Maternal Health Awareness Day and National Blood Donor Month on Monday, January 27 at the Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company in Bridgewater.

The need for blood is constant, yet only three percent of eligible people actually donate blood. To help ensure that safe blood products are available for the next family in need, individuals are urged to come out and donate blood and platelets at the drive, which takes place:

Date: Monday, January 27, 2025

Time: 11:30am–5:30pm

Location: Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, 24 Old York Road Bridgewater, NJ.

In addition to blood and platelet collection, there will be information tables about the warning signs of maternal health complications and resources, a blood donor impact display, refreshments and door prizes for our presenting donors. All donors will also receive a $5 Starbucks or Wawa coffee card.

Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments encouraged. Register at rwjuhdonorclub.org or call 732-235-8100, ext. 221 to make an appointment.

Individuals who cannot donate are encouraged to make a financial donation to the Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, which has generously provided their space for this important community event.

The three mothers leading the drive, Casey Cattell, Brianna Zarenkiewicz, and Minal Patel, have personal connections to this cause. They met when their children were attending the same elementary school.

As a physician assistant for the OB-Gyn Unit at a Pennsylvania hospital, Brianna is highly aware of the need for access to a safe and adequate blood supply to support mothers who experience complications.

Minal has been a dedicated blood donor for most of her adult life. Recognizing the importance of having enough blood and blood products on hand to support patients who experience life-threatening medical emergencies, she donates blood every 60 days – the time frame in which she is eligible.

And finally, Casey knows first-hand the importance of blood donation and its impact on maternal health. Casey, who experienced life-threatening complications during her pregnancy and then again after delivering her first child in 2015, required 22 units of blood and platelets that helped save her life. She wants to pay the gift of life forward to the next family while raising public awareness of the warning signs of life-threatening perinatal complications and the enormous need for blood donations.

In addition to collecting much-needed blood and blood donation products to replenish supplies which are traditionally low during the winter months, the moms’ goal is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of maternal health issues, specifically postpartum hemorrhage, thromboembolism and pre-eclampsia, which are the leading three causes of maternal morbidity as determined by the New Jersey Safe Motherhood Initiative.

About RWJBarnabas Health

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.

RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.

RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 43,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit rwjbh.org.

Contact:
Peter Haigney
RWJUH Public Relations
732-937-8568