January is National Blood Donor Month and highlights the importance of this lifesaving contribution.
National Blood Donor Month has been observed since January 1970.
According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. As the population expands and ages, the Red Cross explains that these needs are becoming more acute: “As demand grows, fueled by more aggressive treatments for certain diseases and an aging and changing population, the supply needs to keep pace.” Although 6.8 million people donate blood in the U.S. every year, less than 10 percent of eligible Americans become donors.
The holidays are a particularly difficult time for organizations like the Red Cross and patients who need blood transfusions. The Red Cross outlines a few of the reasons why: “Blood donations often decline during the holidays when busy schedules, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can make it more difficult for donors to make and keep donation appointments, but the need for blood doesn’t get a break for the holiday season.” Blood shortages can lead to postponed elective surgeries or even delays of more urgent procedures.
Donating blood is its own reward. Blood transfusions are necessary for everyone from newborn babies to cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy (some of whom need blood every day) to people with sickle cell disease. Although adults typically have around 10 pints of blood in their bodies, some patients (such as car accident victims or people undergoing bone marrow transplants) can require more than 100 pints for a single operation. Every day, 36,000 pints of blood are used in the U.S. — a number that continues to rise. Considering this massive need, it’s remarkable that we don’t have shortages more often.
There’s no such thing as synthetic blood — when donations decrease, less blood is available to people who need it. If no one donated blood, 4.5 million Americans would die annually.
Imagine how many millions of people — not just patients, but also their families and loved ones — are affected every year by the anonymous generosity of Americans who donate blood. When you sit down in the chair, squeeze the little stress ball and watch the bag fill with a pint of your blood (which only takes between 10 and 12 minutes), it may not feel like you’re responding to an emergency. But you are. Whenever someone’s child, mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent or best friend needs that pint — perhaps desperately — it will be there.
And one day, the person you love most might need the same thing.
You can observe National Blood Donor Month in one (or more) of these quick, easy ways. They won’t cost you anything but a little of your time:
1. Donate Blood: Whether you’re giving blood for the first time or the 50th, you can make a difference in the lives of others. Donating blood only takes a few minutes, but it can mean a lifetime for those in need. You can make your donation experience even more enjoyable by bringing a friend or family member to give too! Or, if a little more “Me Time” is on your list for 2020, come alone and bring a book!
2. Host a Blood Drive: By hosting a blood drive, you can exponentially increase your impact, especially if you’re a business, company, church or civic club. In our region, a number of schools sponsor bloodmobiles each year. Encourage just 10 people to give, and you can help save up to 30 lives. A bloodmobile is a great way to spend more time with people you care about while also giving back to your community.
Individuals that are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health may be eligible to donate.
Blood donation helps you to positively impact your community and save lives.