January is National Blood Donor Month. This is a time to celebrate blood donors like YOU – and also to encourage blood donation.
National Blood Donor Month Facts:
- Only 3% of the U.S. population donates blood – help us increase that number!
- Nearly 7 million people selflessly donate blood every year.
- Every 2 seconds, someone in America needs a blood transfusion.
- 1 blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
- Cancer survivors, sickle cell warriors, organ transplant patients, trauma victims, premature babies and other local hospital patients in need are counting on your generous blood donation.
How to Donate:
- Donating blood takes as little as 10 minutes and you’ll be in and out of the blood center in as little time as it takes for you to watch an episode of your favorite TV show.
- Donating isn’t just easy, it’s also safe and can be done every 56 days – giving all of us a lot of opportunities to do good each year.
- Anyone 17 or older who is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate.
- Appointments are preferred to ensure a quick and convenient donation, but walk-in donors are also welcome. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
- Click here to schedule an appointment to donate blood or find a blood drive in your community.
If you are unable to give in January, please remember MATC will have a blood drive on Monday, February 12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in M605 at the Downtown Campus. Accept the challenge to donate blood!
This article was written by Versti and the MATC Office of Public Health.
