Donate blood in January

Just 10 percent of the eligible blood donors actually donate blood.

The most common reason? They just didn’t think about doing it. That’s why January has been named National Blood Donor Month since 1970.

Every day, hospitals and clinics around the country need about 36,000 units of blood and 7,000 units of platelets to help save lives. As an example, a single victim of a car accident could require as many as 100 pints of blood throughout their treatment and recovery process.

It is crucial to increase awareness around these donations, especially among those with Type O blood which can be transfused into any other blood type and is only represented in seven percent of the total population. AB positive individuals, meanwhile, are universal donors of plasma and make up only three percent of the population.

The blood drawing process is entirely safe and the donation itself usually takes less than 15 minutes. Even first-timers can likely register, go through their medical history and a mini-physical, and complete the gift in under an hour and a half. Because donated blood typically has to be used within 42 days, regular contributions are crucial throughout the year.