January is National Blood Donor Month

Honor blood donors, sponsor blood drives and encourage others to give

January is the perfect time to honor the people who help others through the simple act of giving blood. Since 1970, January has been known as National Blood Donor Month. It’s a time when blood organizations like the Community Blood Center (CBC) pay tribute to the nearly 140,000 people in the Kansas City Region who give blood each year, and encourage others to start the New Year off right by coming to give the gift of life.

“Blood donors bring hope and promise to hospital patients who may need blood,” said Jay E. Menitove, M.D., President and CEO for the Community Blood Center. “Donors are people who play a vital role in modern health care by helping ensure hospitals have blood for patients.”

Community Blood Center recognizes many of its donors during January through Facebook and Twitter. The organization highlights donors and shares information about their history of donating blood and what keeps them coming back to share their gift of life.

January is a challenging time for blood donation because winter weather and busy post-holiday schedules make it difficult for blood donors to keep appointments. Regardless of the time of year, hospital patients need blood transfusions daily for cancer care, surgeries, and the treatment of serious diseases and trauma.

Community Blood Center encourages donors to make and keep appointments, both for convenience and to reinforce the feeling of commitment. Community members can also contribute to the blood supply by organizing or volunteering at a blood drive, or by suggesting blood donation to their family and friends.

“If volunteering in your community is on your list of resolutions, you can meet it by simply giving blood or recruiting others to give,” said Menitove. “Donating blood is a great way to make a lifetime of difference in just a little more than an hour’s worth of your time.”

For additional information on Community Blood Center, visit their website, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter or call them at 816.753.4040.

Stann Tate Marketing Director Community Blood Center, Kansas City

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