January is National Blood Donor Month

The month of January is dedicated as “National Blood Donor Month” as a way to raise awareness about the critical need to donate blood.

For over eighty years, blood banks have been doing the important job of collecting, maintaining and distributing blood supplies that save lives and offer supply for patients in need of it. 

From cancer patients to accident victims and organ recipients, there is a minute-to-minute demand for blood that is ready to be transfused.

The month of January is dedicated as “National Blood Donor Month” as a way to raise awareness about the critical need to donate blood. The day was officially declared by President Richard Nixon in 1970 and recognizes all the selfless volunteers who have stepped up to donate blood throughout the year.

Prior to the opening of the first blood bank in 1937 by Dr. Bernard Fantus, hospitals only kept record of volunteer contact info and blood types and would reach out to them with a phone call when an emergency requiring blood came about.

Now, volunteers can go and donate at a blood bank at any time and doctors have the supply they need on hand at all times when an emergency is unfolding in front of them.

With over 5 million Americans requiring blood transfusions each year, there is still a pressing need and ongoing shortage of blood supplies.

The urgency to donate still exists and this time of year with holidays and inclement weather – typically sees the largest drop off of donors coming to blood banks so it serves as a perfect time of year to increase the discussion around the need to donate blood.

We want to take a moment to also say thank you this month to all of our blood bank customers for their valuable partnerships and friendships and to recognize the important work done to ensure volunteers can come in to a safe, clean facility to donate blood.

Our customers are ensuring that their facilities are in full compliance with medical waste disposal rules and this trust is truly valuable for getting more volunteers through the door. We salute you this month and every month.

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Blood Donor Month

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