Donate Blood and Assist Save Lives

January is Nationwide Blood Donor Month, a time once we honor the generosity of America’s blood donors and remind individuals in regards to the significance of donating blood recurrently for individuals who are in a position to take action. The winter months additionally deliver on lowered donations resulting from elevated sickness from COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Moreover, winter climate could make it tough for blood donors to make and hold donation appointments.

Each two seconds, somebody in the USA wants blood for surgical procedures, most cancers therapies, childbirth, anemia, severe accidents, blood problems, and extra.

To assist be certain all of us have blood once we want it, I helped launch the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers marketing campaign Giving = Dwelling. By way of transferring private tales, the marketing campaign highlights people who share how blood donations saved their lives throughout army service, accidents, medical emergencies, and continual sicknesses.

This 12 months’s Nationwide Blood Donor Month theme is Celebrating Range, Inclusivity and Fairness in Blood Donation. The theme emphasizes that though all Individuals are inspired to donate blood, it’s particularly necessary for individuals from various backgrounds to take action. This helps make sure that individuals who have uncommon blood varieties have suitable blood obtainable to them after they want it.

And this 12 months is the primary Nationwide Blood Donor Month for the reason that FDA’s launch final 12 months of their Remaining Steering on blood and plasma donations, after they changed the 3-month deferral for homosexual, bisexual, and different males who’ve intercourse with males with a person threat evaluation the place all blood donors are requested the identical questions, no matter their id. I consider this improves the accuracy of the chance evaluation of all blood donors as a result of all donors can be requested the identical questions. I applaud the FDA for utilizing the most effective obtainable scientific proof at the moment to replace eligibility insurance policies, whereas additionally persevering with to take care of a secure and enough provide of blood and blood merchandise in the USA. I additionally hope that this new steerage will encourage those that might haven’t been capable of donate beforehand, to think about doing so below the brand new tips.

Crucial factor to recollect when contemplating donating blood is that doing so can save a life. Watch Earl’s story to learn the way blood donation helped to avoid wasting his life when he was severely injured by a roadside bomb, whereas serving within the army. Due to blood donors, he’s nonetheless right here at the moment residing a life with function.

Donors, particularly those that donate recurrently, hold our nation’s blood provide steady. Though many individuals donate blood after disasters, sufferers want blood year-round. Shortages within the nation’s blood provide can occur at any time. In case you are eligible to donate blood, I encourage you to make an appointment to donate at the moment. Donating blood simply as soon as will help save a couple of life. It’s much more impactful when you can donate recurrently!

I hope you’ll be part of me in spreading the message in regards to the significance of donating blood. Go to the Giving = Dwelling web site to discover a donation heart close to you, study in regards to the blood donation course of, and get solutions to frequent questions and issues. It’s also possible to assist us discover extra blood donor heroes. Use our marketing campaign supplies to assist us get the phrase out.

I respect your assist. It’s a pleasure to thank donors and supporters personally. Your efforts make a distinction to hundreds of thousands of Individuals. I’m deeply appreciative of your efforts to make everybody in your neighborhood more healthy.