The Red Cross must get 13,000 donations everyday to keep the blood supply readily available for patients. In January blood donations go down, that is why this month we encourage you to go out and donate blood. Millions of patients need blood including organ recipients, cancer patients and accident victims. Did you know that in the U.S. someone needs blood every two seconds. It is important to give blood because it can help save a life. In 1970 January was declared National Blood Donor Month by President Richard Nixon.
If you have type O blood, this is the most common blood requested by hospitals. Type O negative blood (red cells) can go to any patients of all different blood types, but only 7% of people in the U.S. have type O negative blood. Find out about more blood types here. A single donation can save someone’s life.