Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood and one in seven patients entering a hospital requires blood transfusions. The San Diego Blood Bank says just one blood donation could save up to three lives.
January marks the 53rd anniversary of National Blood Donor month which celebrates and recognizes those who have rolled up their sleeves to help save lives, and encourage others to do the same.
National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during the winter season. According to the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB), the winter season is one of the most challenging times to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.
“Right now, there is an urgent need for your donations, as San Diego’s Blood Supply is critically low, and SDBB is experiencing supply chain challenges,” SDBB officials wrote in a statement.
Those in need of blood donations range from trauma victims to patients battling sickle cell disease or Thalassemia or to ensure a successful organ or bone marrow transplant, according to the SDBB. Cancer patients use 25 percent of all blood donations and blood transfusions are needed in one out of every 83 newborn deliveries in America today.
“Blood is unique in our healthcare system,” said Doug Morton, San Diego Blood Bank CEO. “There is no substitute, and it cannot be synthetically made so volunteer blood donations are the only way to provide blood to hospital patients in need.”
In an effort to help stabilize the blood supply and bring awareness to the need for blood donations, the SDBB partnered with the San Diego County Credit Union on a Multi-Location Blood Drive. The event takes place at the following San Diego County Credit Union Locations on Jan.4 from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.
— SDCCU-Encinitas, 501 North El Camino Real, Encinitas. Register at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/75326
— SDCCU-Santee, 286 Town Center Parkway, Santee. Register at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/76137
— SDCCU-Solana Beach, 677 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach. Register at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/75327
— SDCCU-Sports Arena, 3455 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. Register at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/76241
— SDCCU-Costa Mesa, 2300 Harbor Blvd., Ste. A-1, Costa Mesa. Register at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/76350
— SDCCU-Murrieta, 25165 Madison Ave., Murrieta. Register at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/76142
More information about National Blood Donor Month can be found at SanDiegoBloodBank.org/nbdm. To be eligible to donate blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in generally good health. Appointments are encouraged and available by visiting sandiegobloodbank.org or by calling (619) 400-8251.
