The Importance of National Blood Donor Month
January 18, 2023 | Kathy Ingulsrud
January is National Blood Donor Month, an effort to publicize the importance of blood donation and encourage people to donate blood. Continue reading to learn more about donating blood.
Different blood types contain different antigens, and not all types are compatible. When someone receives a transfusion of an incompatible blood type, their immune system will destroy the new blood.
Type O negative is valuable because it lacks any antigens. It is the only blood type that can be given to anyone who needs it, which makes it the most sought after type of blood. However, it is one of the rarest blood types: only about 10 percent of people living in the United States have O negative blood.
What is National Blood Donor Month, and Why Is It Important?
January has historically been a month of blood shortages. People often stop donating around this time, due to the holidays, winter weather, cold and flu season, and more.
The transport of donated blood is often impeded by weather as well, making it challenging to deliver blood to hospitals and clinics. Blood also does not have much of a shelf life. Due to coagulation and the current methods available to store it, it only lasts about two months from time of draw.
In December 1969, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation that January of 1970 would be the first annual National Blood Donor Month. The goal was, and still is, to encourage people to donate during the slow winter season.
In recognition of Blood Donor Month, many organizations hold activities during the month of January to celebrate and encourage donation. Last year, the Minnesota Wild hosted a blood drive at the Xcel Energy Center with sports themed gifts for donors. Visit the American Red Cross website to find blood drives or other events in your area.
The American Red Cross has an app for smartphones to find donation locations and make appointments. Potential donors can also go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Donating blood during this slow period goes a long way to helping hospitals and clinics give life saving treatment to cancer patients, pregnant women, people with blood disorders, and many others. A single donation takes less than one hour, and can save multiple lives. Donate today!
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