Since 1970, the month of January has been declared as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month.
January was chosen because it is the month that presents the most challenges in recruiting people to give blood. During this time of year, it is hard to get even the most dedicated blood donors to make an appointment because everyone is busy, the weather is cold and many are suffering cold or flu symptoms.
Here are some important facts you should know:
- Every day in our country, we need approximately 39,000 units of blood for use in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities.
- Every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood!
- Just one blood donation can help save up to three lives!
- Sixty percent of the U.S. Population is eligible to donate blood but only 5 percent of those eligible ever do.
- Blood can be separated into at least three components. They are red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
- In an emergency, anyone can receive type O negative red blood cells. Type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO group. These facts are the reason why people with type O negative blood are known as “universal donors”.
Donating blood is easy. In order to donate, you need to be healthy and meet age, weight and other requirements. The actual act of blood donation is safe and it usually takes less than 10-12 minutes. The whole process, from when you get there till the time you leave, will take only about an hour out of your day.
For more information, a few places to call are the American Red Cross of Orange County, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, U.C. Irvine Medical Center, and Saint Joseph Hospital.
Whose life are you going to save
by making a donation, today?
