January is National Blood Donor Month
We received a notice from the Connecticut Blood Center and the American Red Cross that blood donations are critically needed, in light of shortages resulting from the severe weather last week.
In Connecticut, 13 blood drives were forced to cancel due to last week’s winter storm, causing 339 donations to go uncollected. Uncollected donations can mean the difference between life and death: every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following blood and donation types right now:
- Platelets: The clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment and always in great demand.
- Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is what doctors reach for in trauma situations.
- Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and negative patients.
- Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone and can be donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular blood donation.
Give Blood, Get Dunkin'
For the 11th year, the American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts are partnering in January to help increase donations and reward generous donors. Through the Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference campaign, all those who come to give blood or platelets in January at Red Cross blood drives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and parts of New York will receive a $5 DD Card*. The DD Card can be used toward the purchase of any item at participating Dunkin’ Donuts.
How to help
Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/ct , calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or using the free Blood Donor App,