Every year in the United States, 4.5 million lives are saved by blood transfusions from donors just like you.
January is the perfect time for us to look for ways to better ourselves. It’s natural, isn’t it? The start of the year offers a clean slate for us to eat better, exercise, do more of some things and less of others. We want to be better because we know the effects of our improved habits, and better actions will ripple through our family, friends, coworkers, and communities. As you embark on your resolutions in this new year, we would like to suggest another way to improve upon yourself and those around you: donating blood.
When you consider whether or not to donate, we ask that you keep a few numbers in mind: one, two, and three. It takes only one hour to donate blood, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and your donation can save up to three lives. There are few things you can do in an hour that are more impactful than that.
January is National Blood Donor Month and the perfect time to start a resolution to donate regularly. New to donating? Here are some quick facts and information:
What to expect when donating: You’ll need about an hour, your ID, and some basic medical information.
Want to properly prepare for your donation? Get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy meal, and stay hydrated before, during, and after your appointment.
Unsure if you can give blood? As long as you’re feeling well and in good health, you can typically donate. Here are a few more pieces of information regarding actually donating.
Do you know your blood type? If not, you’ll find out when you donate. There are a lot of really interesting facts to know about each type.
It’s actually physically and mentally healthy to donate blood.
The beautiful thing about donating blood is that you can have your own reason for doing so. Maybe you or a loved one were saved by a donation. Maybe you do it because you think it’s the right thing to do. Maybe you do it for the free juice and cookies! No matter what your reason is, donating blood is one of the most selfless acts you can do to help your community.
For more information about local blood drives and where to donate, please visit our website.