January is Nationwide Blood Donor Month, a time once we honor the generosity of America’s blood donors and remind folks concerning the significance of donating blood often for individuals who are in a position to take action. The winter months additionally convey on decreased donations attributable to elevated sickness from COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Moreover, winter climate could make it tough for blood donors to make and preserve donation appointments.
Each two seconds, somebody in the USA wants blood for surgical procedures, most cancers remedies, 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 = Residing. 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 persistent sicknesses.
This 12 months’s Nationwide Blood Donor Month theme is Celebrating Variety, Inclusivity and Fairness in Blood Donation. The theme emphasizes that though all Individuals are inspired to donate blood, it’s particularly necessary for folks from numerous backgrounds to take action. This helps make sure that individuals who have uncommon blood varieties have appropriate blood out there to them once 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 Ultimate Steering on blood and plasma donations, once they changed the 3-month deferral for homosexual, bisexual, and different males who’ve intercourse with males with a person danger evaluation the place all blood donors are requested the identical questions, no matter their identification. 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 one of the best out there scientific proof immediately to replace eligibility insurance policies, whereas additionally persevering with to take care of a protected and satisfactory provide of blood and blood merchandise in the USA. I additionally hope that this new steerage will encourage those that could haven’t been capable of donate beforehand, to contemplate doing so underneath the brand new tips.
A very powerful 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 immediately dwelling a life with goal.
Donors, particularly those that donate often, preserve 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 immediately. Donating blood simply as soon as may help save a couple of life. It’s much more impactful in case you can donate often!
I hope you’ll be part of me in spreading the message concerning the significance of donating blood. Go to the Giving = Residing web site to discover a donation middle close to you, be taught concerning the blood donation course of, and get solutions to frequent questions and considerations. 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 recognize your assist. It’s a pleasure to thank donors and supporters personally. Your efforts make a distinction to thousands and thousands of Individuals. I’m deeply appreciative of your efforts to make everybody in your group more healthy.