Caring Causes - American Red Cross and National Blood Donor Month

 The start of a new year is the perfect time to make a resolution to help others.

 

Make 2024 the year you become a blood donor. Donated before? Add another donation to your goals for 2024. January is National Blood Donor Month, and the American Red Cross and the NFL are partnering to invite football fans and blood donors to join this lifesaving team to score big for patients in need.

 

Everyone who comes to donate blood between January 1 – 31, will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exciting trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas! Includes travel, hotel, $1,000 gift card, pre-game activities and more.

 

And there’s more - - - can’t make it in January? Those who donate blood between February 1 – 29 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email.

 

Today, the Red Cross reports there are fewer individuals giving blood than in the past 20 years. This means small changes in blood donor turnout can have huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion.

 

If blood products aren’t fully stocked on hospital shelves, patients may be forced to wait for critical care. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, a loved one battling cancer, a car accident victim, a mom experiencing a complicated childbirth, and countless others. The Red Cross stresses that it’s important to remember that health emergencies don’t pause for the holidays or game day. Donors are needed now to help prevent an imminent blood shortage.

 

January is designated as National Blood Donor Month to honor blood donors across the U.S. as well as encourage more people to give during this time of year. Each sitting U.S. president has continued that tradition since President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation in 1969, declaring the first month of the year as Blood Donor Month.

 

This holiday season, the U.S. is on pace to see a record number of people traveling. Additionally, seasonal illness and an increase in COVID-19 infections has also led to fewer people giving blood in recent weeks, making it hard to keep up with the demand for blood products.  

In this interview, watch Dr. Eric Gehrie, Executive Physician Director at the American Red Cross as he discusses the need for blood donors to prevent an imminent blood shortage, how donated blood helps patients in need and how to set up an appointment.

 

Interview is courtesy: American Red Cross-Nonprofit