Event Series:
National Blood Donor Month
National Blood Donor Month
January 1, 2029
January is National Blood Donor Month
According to the American Red Cross, winter is one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. That’s because of, among other things, busy holiday schedules and bad weather often result in canceled blood drives. Furthermore, seasonal illnesses such as the flu force potential donors to forgo their blood donations. The color red represents blood donation and National Blood Donor Month.
National Blood Donor Month, which has taken place each January since 1970, is an important observance. Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for others. According to the World Health Organization, blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life.
Five Facts about Blood Donations
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There is not enough blood for all of us
According to the American Red Cross, about 38 percent of the U.S. population can donate blood, but only 10 percent actually do.
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Regular donations are important
People who begin donating blood at age 17 and donate every eight weeks will have donated 48 gallons of blood by age 76.
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Donate blood and get medical information about your own blood
When we donate blood, labs examine the donation for multiple infectious diseases, such as HIV and West Nile virus.
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Dogs can donate, too!
Your dog can donate blood, too. Check with your veterinarian and the Humane Society to make sure you know the local rules and regulations for this type of donation. The enamel awareness ribbon pin associated with dog blood donation is animal paw prints. Personalized Cause sells them on this site to raise awareness of this type of blood donation.
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The multiplier effect is huge
Every time we donate one pint of blood, we offer the potential to save three lives.
Give Blood During National Blood Donor Month!
Give blood. Don’t wait for a disaster. Someone needs blood now! In addition, contact the American Red Cross or your local blood bank for more information. Use #NationalBloodDonorMonth and #GiveBlood to share on social media.
Here are some of the biggest reasons giving blood is so important:
About 36,000 units of red blood cells and 7,000 units of platelets are needed every single day in the U.S.
A single-car accident victim may need up to 100 pints of blood to survive.
38% of our population is eligible to donate, but less than 10% actually do.
A single donation from a single patient can help more than one person.
The most requested blood type by hospitals is type O. This kind of blood can be transfused to patients of all blood types, so it is always in great demand and very short supply. Only 7% of people in the U.S. have type O.
About 6.8 million people donate blood every year in the U.S.
Donating blood is a simple, safe process. All you have to do is register, take a mini-medical history test, donate, and then accept free refreshments like water, Gatorade, and granola bars.
How to Observe National Blood Donor Month
Donate during National Blood Donor Month
Not just in honor of National Blood Donor Month, but in the simple spirit of providing life to those who need it most. Donate now. Donate again in eight weeks. Repeat.
Inspire Others During National Blood Donor Month
National Blood Donor Month can inspire people to donate. And these donations can in turn inspire others to donate. This creates an exponential increase in blood donations when and where they’re needed the most.
Learn and remember your blood type
What’s your blood type?
O positive donors are needed more often than other blood types. O negative donors are considered “universal donors.”
AB positive donors are “universal recipients.”
