With busy holiday schedules, inclement weather and the onset of cold/flu season; winter remains one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood to meet patient demand. In order to drive awareness and increase overall donations, January has become National Blood Donor Month (a title it has held since 1970). Donating blood is simple. It saves lives and improves the health of countless people across the world. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life.”
Here are 5 amazing facts that you most likely do not know:
- About 38 percent of the U.S. population can donate blood — but only 10 percent actually do.
- People who begin donating blood at age 17 and donate every 8 weeks will have donated 48 gallons of blood by age 76.
- When you donate blood, labs examine the donation for multiple infectious diseases, such as HIV and West Nile virus.
- 1 pint of donated blood has the potential to save 3 lives.
- Blood donors are 88 percent less likely to have a heart attack.
Make a meaningful difference. Consider donating blood TODAY!