Celebrate National Blood Donor Month with The Community Blood Center
January 19, 2022
It all started back in 1970 – well, to be exact, December 31, 1969, when January was proclaimed as National Blood Donor Month. (Read the proclamation here!) And the next day, January 1, 1970, was the start of an annual month-long celebration of blood donors. Today, we continue celebrating National Blood Donor Month by showing our appreciation for blood donors and encouraging more people to get involved with blood donation because we truly couldn’t do what we do without them!
Blood donors are an incredibly special group of individuals and we are so grateful to get to work with them each and every day. They are dedicated, inspiring and care deeply about the wellbeing of our community. Blood donors – thank you for stepping up to ensure our loved ones, neighbors and friends have access to blood if they ever need it.
You see, blood that is transfused to a patient can only come from a volunteer blood donor. Crazy to think about, right? With all the technological advancements and tools we have at our fingertips, there is still no substitute for blood. It can’t be made. It can’t be manufactured. It can only come from another human being. That’s why every blood donation counts and every blood donor plays a powerful role in our community. Blood donors are the reasons why patients can continue to receive blood transfusions. Whether it’s a blood transfusion as part of cancer treatment, surgery or an unexpected emergency, patients rely on the selfless gifts of blood donors. Patients rely on you. We can’t thank you enough for answering the call to help save lives through blood donation.
This year, National Blood Donor Month falls during a challenging time for the national blood supply as the U.S. faces a blood shortage. Currently, the national blood supply is at one of the lowest levels it’s been in past years, with many blood centers reporting less than a one-day blood supply, an alarming shortage.
The concern continues to grow as this time of the year can be particularly challenging for blood donation. Between holidays, winter weather, and seasonal illnesses, finding blood donors can become more difficult. With the national blood supply at a dangerously low level, we must ensure the local blood supply is sufficient to meet the routine blood needs of hospital partners as well as the unplanned blood needs that can arise at a moment’s notice.
One way to do this is by encouraging people to donate at least one additional time in 2022 than they did in 2021. CBC, ADRP, and blood centers across the nation are asking those who are eligible to commit to donating blood at least twice throughout 2022. (Reminder: you can donate blood every 8 weeks!) Will you commit to 2 in ’22? We hope so!
Blood donors – thank you again for your altruism, generosity and selflessness. We are so appreciative of all that you do and wish you the best National Blood Donor Month!