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during National Blood Donor Month 
Every year since 1970, blood collection organizations across the United States have recognized January as National Blood Donor Month. To help ensure an adequate blood supply, the American Red Cross has joined with AABB and America’s Blood Centers to stress the importance of donating blood.
“But the need for blood is constant,” said Jeb Caudill, spokesperson for the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. “Nearly all the blood needed by patients in the United States comes from volunteer blood donors.”
Caudill pointed out that if all eligible donors gave blood on a regular basis — or about three or four times a year — blood needs could be met and shortages could become a thing of the past.
“In Michigan, the majority of our donors — about 63 percent — give just once a year,” says Caudill. “We’re hoping to help donors understand that the key to a stable blood supply is steady and consistent donations from people who want to help save lives.”
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 39,000 units of this lifesaving resource. This year alone, as many as five million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.
All blood donations are needed, but the blood type most in demand is Type O, which can be transfused to patients with other blood types and is used in most emergency situations. Also in demand are platelets, used to help treat victims of cancer. Platelets are donated through a process called Apheresis.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. For information on a blood drive in any of the 65 counties served by the Great Lakes Region, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.redcrossmichigan.org.
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January, in particular, can be a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood as inclement weather and the demands of the New Year can make it difficult for donors to give.