Donating blood is a lifesaving action that supports people, communities, and hospitals in your local area and around the world. Learn how you can make a difference.
What is National Blood Donor Month?
January is National Blood Donor Month, a vital campaign that honors the selfless donors who help maintain the nation’s blood supply and the professionals who support them. During the month of January, the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, AABB, in collaboration with other significant members of the blood community, emphasize the life-saving power of blood donations. Together AABB, the American Red Cross, and America’s Blood Centers unite to thank all volunteer donors and especially encourage eligible individuals to donate during National Blood Donor month in January,
When were the first blood centers founded?
The first hospital blood bank in the U.S. was established at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago by Dr. Bernard Fantus in 1937. However, blood centers were founded on a national level in the 1940s to support the War effort. By 1947, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) was founded to help develop community blood centers. The first regulations were introduced through the National Institutes of Health. Today, the FDA/CBER issues regulations and guidance for all blood banks to ensure a safe national blood supply.
Why January?
On December 31, 1969, President Richard M. Nixon made Proclamation 3952 to designate the month of January 1970 as National Blood Donor Month. This proclamation recognizes donors during a typically difficult time when supplies decrease due to holidays, wintry weather, and illness. Since then, presidents continue to support and honor this annual January campaign.
Excerpts from Proclamation 3952:
Genuine concern for his fellowman has always distinguished the American citizen. That concern finds daily expression in the countless acts of voluntary service to the less fortunate, the sick, and the injured.
No manifestation of this generosity of spirit is more expressive, and no gift more priceless in time of personal crisis, than the donation of one’s blood. The voluntary blood donor truly gives life itself.
I call upon the public media, the blood-banking and medical and healthcare facilities of our country, and the public at large to pay special tribute and honor during that month to the voluntary blood donor and to encourage, by all appropriate means, increasing numbers of people to be voluntary blood donors.
Who benefits from blood donations?
The American Red Cross provides valuable information for those who wish to donate blood. The nonprofit organization stresses that every day, blood donors help patients of all ages. This includes accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, those battling cancer and more. Furthermore, there is great need for donations of blood. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. According to statistics shared by ImpactLife, cancer patients need 25% of America’s blood supply, making them the largest group requiring transfusions. Additionally, only 3% of Americans donate each year, making it challenging for the centers that supply 60% of the nation’s blood to meet demand.
ImpactLife shares this personal account emphasizing the importance of blood donations from all ethnicities:
“As one of 100,000 Americans with Sickle Cell disease, I know firsthand the importance of regular transfusions. Finding a compatible donor often depends on shared ethnic backgrounds, making diversity crucial. With only 12% of donations from communities of color, the need for diverse donors is pressing. This National Blood Donor Month, I thank the 3% who give blood, bringing hope to patients like me. I urge our community to donate at a nearby center – your generosity can save countless lives.”
An unselfish act
Per AABB, blood donation is an “altruistic gift” that helps others in need. In only 45 to 60 minutes, eligible individuals can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four components to save multiple lives. This is called whole blood donation, which includes red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.
The impact of whole blood donation
Whole blood donation is the most common type of blood donation. The blood may stay as whole or be separated into parts. AABB explains, “From one unit of blood, red blood cells can be extracted and used to treat patients who lost blood due to trauma or those who are recovering from surgery.”
Whole blood donation, the quickest and easiest way of giving blood, often comes to mind when people think of donating. However, there are other types of blood donations as well. These other types of blood donations can take between two and three hours to complete but also generously give the gift of life.
Apheresis
Apheresis is a type of blood donation where only a certain part of the blood is donated. Mayo Clinic describes, “During apheresis, you are connected to a machine that collects the blood and separates the part needed. After the machine does its work, it returns the other parts of blood back to you.” This procedure is used to collect red cells, plasma or platelets.
Double red cell
Red cell blood donation allows people to give twice the red cells in half the time. Red blood cells are drawn while the rest of the blood components are returned to the body. Per We are Blood, “Red blood cells are the component most frequently transfused to patients at our local hospitals because they carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Surgery patients, severe accident victims, cancer patients and patients with anemia are common recipients of red cell transfusions.”
Plasma donation
Plasma donation is also called plasmapheresis. Plasma, as explained by AABB, is “the liquid part of blood that is typically administered to patients requiring treatment to improve blood clotting.” Plasma also has proteins called antibodies that help fight infections.
Platelet donation
Platelet donation is also called plateletpheresis. Platelets clot the blood when cuts or other open wounds occur. Donated platelets are often used to treat patients with cancer who don’t have enough platelets. They may also be needed by patients undergoing organ transplants, surgeries, or in cases where patients have lost a lot of blood.
Autologous donation
This term describes blood donated for the donor’s own use. Some people may donate their own blood for personal use, and it is sometimes done before surgery.
Compatibility counts
Blood can’t be made in a laboratory. It needs to come from another person. Medicine Net explains that the recipient must have the same blood type as the donor. When people donate blood, testing is needed to determine blood type. “Then a doctor can be sure the person who needs it gets the right blood type. If the person gets the wrong type, the body could reject it.”
Antigens
Red blood cells have markers called antigens that help the body recognize cells that belong. If you receive red blood cells with different antigens than your own, the immune system will create special proteins called antibodies to destroy foreign cells. Transfusing recipients with the wrong blood type is extremely dangerous, therefore, doctors are very careful to give patients the correct blood type.
Major blood types
Healthgrades describes that there are 4 major blood types determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells.
- Type A (with A type antigens)
- Type B (with B type antigens)
- Type AB (with both A and B type antigens)
- Type O (with neither A nor B antigens)
Other important blood facts:
- Blood type is inherited. It is genetically passed through one’s parents. Therefore, your parents’ blood types determine yours.
- Blood type can be determined through a simple test at a doctor’s office.
- Blood type is also positive or negative based on the presence of protein on red blood cells called the Rh factor. When Rh factor is present, a person’s blood type is Rh-positive. When Rh factor is absent, the blood type is Rh-negative. Example: A person with the A antigen and Rh factor has A+ blood.
- Blood type affects who you can donate blood to and what kind of blood you can get in a transfusion. Here’s an example provided by Healthgrades: “A person with A blood, blood that contains the A antigen, cannot receive B blood during a transfusion. A person with AB blood can receive blood from a person with A, B, or AB type blood. This is because they have both the A and B antigens.”
- Healthgrades provides an example of the importance of Rh factor in blood transfusions. “People with Rh-positive blood can receive either Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood. However, people who have Rh-negative blood can only receive Rh-negative blood.”
- People with type O negative (O-) blood are often called “universal donors.” This means that their blood can be used in transfusions for any blood type. It is often used in medical emergencies when blood type is unknown.
- O positive (O+) is the most common blood type in the U.S. Per American Red Cross, 38% of the population has O+ blood. It is one of the first to run out in a shortage due to high demand.
- AB negative (AB-) is the rarest type of blood (of the most common) in the United States. Per American Red Cross, less than 1% of the U.S. population has type AB- blood.
- Rare and extremely rare blood types can also exist, depending upon the presence or absence of specific antigens.
Key blood donor information:
- Those who donate blood should meet some qualifications. Essentially, they must be in good health, be at least 16 or 17 years of age, and weigh a minimum of 110 lbs.
- Typically, identification is needed, though exact requirements vary by state or facility.
- People who have traveled outside of the country in the past three years may or may not be eligible to donate blood. Mainly, it’s because some diseases can be contracted overseas. Inform the blood bank when scheduling your appointment.
- People with health concerns or high-risk behaviors should inform the blood bank to make sure they are able to safely donate.
- Donors should expect some form of pre-donation screening done in private, confidentially asking you about your personal health, lifestyle, and disease risk factors.
- People who are actively sick, for instance experiencing symptoms of the flu, should not donate blood at that time.
- It is very safe for healthy adults to donate blood. Healthline explains, “There is no risk of contracting disease. New, sterile equipment is used for each donor.”
- Donating whole blood is a quick process. While it might seem intimidating, it is relatively painless. Listening to music or watching television can help you relax during the donation process.
- Once a pint of blood is collected, the donor’s arm is bandaged, and donors are given a snack and drink and a brief rest period.
- Healthy seniors interested in donating blood should consult their physician for advice. There is currently no upper age limit for blood donation, but health factors related to aging must be considered.
It’s a substantial lifesaving act
Donating blood is a generous form of charity that acknowledges the demand for blood and the desire to help others in need. It is particularly important to donate in January, during National Blood Donor Month, when donations may drop due to holidays, inclement weather, or spikes in illness such as the flu. Remember that someday you or someone you love may need blood, therefore it’s important to do goodwill by helping to maintain the nation’s supply.
Disclosure: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a medically reviewed resource, nor does it serve as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor for medical guidance.
[adrotate banner=”1209″]
