More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation proclaiming January as National Blood Donor Month. Ever since, the national holiday has been celebrated across the United States, to recognize the amazing volunteers who donate blood and encourage more people to give blood.
Previously, there have been shortages of blood donations in the month of January due to factors, such as increasing cold and flu cases and holiday busyness. In the winter months it is crucial to donate blood to prevent shortages.
To find local blood donation locations, visit aabb.org. Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) has a blood donation site locator along with many other valuable resources, including FAQs about blood donation and about blood donation.
If you are able, please celebrate the month of January by donating blood. 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year. Save a life and give blood.
Blood Donation Facts From givingblood.org
4.5 million Americans will a need blood transfusion each year.
43,000 pints: amount of donated blood used each day in the U.S. and Canada.
Someone needs blood every two seconds.
About one in seven people entering a hospital need blood.
One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
The number one reason blood donors say they give is because they "want to help others."
Shortages of all blood types happen during the summer and winter holidays.
Blood centers often run short of types O and B red blood cells.
The rarest blood type is the one not on the shelf when it's needed by a patient.
There is no substitute for human blood.
If all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a rare event. (The current average is about two.)
References
1. “Blood Donation Facts.” Community Blood Center, Community Blood Center, https://givingblood.org/about-blood/blood-facts.aspx.
2. “National Blood Donor Month.” AABB - Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, AABB - Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, https://www.aabb.org/for-donors-patients/national-blood-donor-month.