WHO:             

Heather Howard, Commissioner, Department of Health and Senior Services

Kevin Rigby, VP of Public Affairs, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Testimonials from:

• Mary Volpe, a 30-year-old mother who was seven months pregnant with twins when she needed multiple blood transfusions
• Dr. Mark Grebenau, one of Novartis’ top blood donors; Global Director, Medical Information and Communication for Specialty Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine  

WHAT:

Press Conference to announce the NJ Workplace Blood Donor Coalition

The coalition represents a partnership among NJDHSS, executives from New Jersey

private sector employers and hospital/blood bank associations.

* A blood drive will also take place throughout the day from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  The blood drive is open to the press.

WHEN:        

Monday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

*Security Clearance Requirements:

• Reporters and/or photographers who wish to cover this event should provide names to Novartis contact by close of business, Thursday, June 12, in order to facilitate required security clearance.   
• 11:00 a.m. arrival required for security clearance (see directions).

WHERE:

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Building 701, Auditorium

East Hanover, New Jersey

Background:

New Jersey faces a severe and chronic blood shortage.  To address this potential crisis, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and New Jersey businesses are joining forces to increase workplace blood donations in the state through the “Save 3 Lives…All in a Day’s Work” campaign.  The goal is to increase the number of people in New Jersey who routinely donate blood from 2.5 percent to the national average of 5 percent.

Directions:

Enter the Novartis campus via the Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover gate and stop at the Visitors’ Center.   From there, you will be escorted to the program.

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