This January, please honor National Blood Donor Month by donating and encouraging others to donate.
Since 1970, January has been known as National Blood Donor Month. It’s a time when blood organizations like the American Red Cross pay tribute to the nearly 11 million people who give blood each year, and encourage others to start the New Year off right by coming to give the gift of life.
January is a challenging time for blood donation because cold and snowy weather and busy post-holiday schedules can make it difficult for blood donors to keep appointments. Regardless of the time of year, hospital patients nationwide need about 44,000 blood donations daily for cancer care, surgeries, and the treatment of serious diseases and trauma.
Donating blood is a great way to make a lifetime of difference in just a little more than an hour’s worth of your time. The Red Cross encourages donors to make and keep appointments. Community members can also contribute to the blood supply by organizing or volunteering at a blood drive, or by suggesting blood donation to their family and friends.
For more information about donating blood or to find a donation center near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org.