January is National Blood Donor Month. While the month is intended to celebrate volunteer donors and raise awareness for the need for blood donations, it also comes during a time of need for blood banks.
The American Red Cross issued calls for additional blood and platelet donations to mitigate a blood shortage. With holiday scheduling keeping donors busy, the Red Cross collected about 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s than needed. According to the Red Cross, type O blood is the greatest need. To locate a donor location, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
