Give Blood for Life During National Blood Donor Month
By Kristin Stankus, Digital community and social media specialist
Did you know there is an entire month designated to appreciating blood donors? Volunteerism and altruism come in many forms but none are quite as selfless and priceless as giving the gift of life through blood donation.
Every day in the United States, approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims. This need for blood products does not decrease during the winter months, yet blood is traditionally in short supply during this time, due to holidays, travel, and illness; often leaving blood centers with critically low levels of inventory. Recognizing the importance of maintaining adequate blood supplies across the country, especially from November to February, President Richard Nixon designated January National Blood Donor month in 1969; read the proclamation here.
Throughout National Blood Donor month, the staff and patients of Stanford Blood Center would like to thank the thousands of donors that take time to donate blood and save lives and remind them how important their donation is to our local community. Additionally, we like to take this time to encourage new donors to come in and donate for the first time. By spending approximately an hour of your time with us, from registration to cookies, SBC can collect a pint of blood. This donation can be split in to platelets, plasma, and red blood cells, which could potentially save up to three lives.
So start the New Year off right and donate blood with SBC and remember for every donation you make, there is a grateful patient on the other end receiving your amazing gift.
Make an appointment online or give us a call at 888-723-7831.
Content Sources
http://www.adrp.org/promoting-donation/natl-blood-donor-month/