January is National Blood Donor Month and is an important time to remember the life-saving power of blood donation. As the winter months bring colder weather, the celebration of holidays, severe storms, illnesses, and increased travel, donor turnout is often lower, even as patient needs are still constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion, with more than 42,000 units of red cells, platelets, and plasma used by patients every single day. These donations are essential for patients facing trauma, surgeries, childbirth complications, cancer treatments, chronic conditions and many other medical needs.
Blood donation from Black individuals is critical, especially for patients with sickle cell disease, as they often have unique red blood cell antigens (like the Ro subtype) that provide better matches, reducing life-threatening reactions, but there's a significant shortage of Black donors, with less than 3% of donors being Black despite making up 13% of the U.S. population.
How to Donate Blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Sources: American Red Cross, Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies