January is National Blood Donor Month
Public encouraged to honor blood donors by rolling up their sleeves
Most every month has a holiday or special day of remembrance. But not every month honors the millions of people who volunteer to give the gift of life each year.
“January is an absolutely perfect time of year to honor blood donors and all they do to help save lives” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “As the start of the New Year, January symbolizes hope—just like the act of donating blood.”
Since 1970, blood collection organizations like the American Red Cross have designated January as National Blood Donor Month. Each year, about 9.5 million volunteers donate around 16 million units of whole blood and red blood cells. About 20 percent of these donors give blood for the first time.
“Blood donors play a vital role in modern health care,” said Whitman. ”Hospitals need blood daily for the treatment of serious diseases and conditions, for emergency care, and for lifesaving surgeries.”
Every day, about 39,000 pints of blood are transfused in the United States. And while that need is constant, blood donations often slump during the winter because of cold and snowy weather—making it even more important for donors to give blood if they can.
“Whether you choose to give blood once, twice or even more this coming year, we find it a privilege to serve you through the American Red Cross,” said Whitman. “Blood donors are truly remarkable people whose only reward is typically the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped save someone’s life.”
Come to donate from Jan. 1 - 31 and be entered into a weekly region-wide drawing for a $250 Visa gift card! In addition, all donors will receive a coupon for a free donut from Dunkin’ Donuts (while supplies last).
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Saturday, Jan. 15, from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Walmart, located at 3400 E. Morthland Dr. in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Jan. 17, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila in the Community Room, located at 1511 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Tuesday, Jan. 18, from noon until 6 p.m. at Valparaiso University in Harre Union Ballrooms B & C, located at 1509 Campus Drive in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a t-shirt. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “valpo” to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Liberty Bible Church in the lower level, located at 824 N. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton.
- Thursday, Jan. 20, from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Elementary School in the Cafeteria/Gymnasium, located at 1052 Park Ave. in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Monday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in the Social Hall, located at 6540 Central Ave. in Portage.
- Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Duneland Health and Wellness in the Fitness Center, located at 810 Michael Drive in Chesterton.
- Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Hebron Elementary School in the Cafeteria, located at 307 S. Main St. in Hebron. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Portage Adult Education Center, located at 5391 Central Ave. in Portage. Come to donate from Jan. 1- 31 and be entered into a weekly region-wide drawing for a $250 Visa gift card! In addition, all donors from Dec. 20 - Jan. 31 will receive a coupon for a free donut from Dunkin’ Donuts (while supplies last).
- Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Cooks Corner Elementary School in the Cafeteria, located at 358 Bullseye Lake Road in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Friday, Jan. 28, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson School in the Cafeteria, located at 1600 Roosevelt Road in Valparaiso. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “tjschool” to schedule your blood donation appointment. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Friday, Jan. 28, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Portage, located at 3100 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Please email Steve.Beach@porterhealth.com to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Monday, Jan. 31, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at South Haven Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 395 Midway Drive in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Monday, Jan. 31, from 12:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Westchester Intermediate School in the gymnasium, located at 1050 S. Fifth St. in Chesterton. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “westch” to schedule your blood donation appointment. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts. and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.