Month recognizes lifesaving contributions of donors

January is National Blood Donor Month, time to recognize the lifesaving contribution of blood and platelet donors. As we begin the New Year, VA encourages all of us to resolve to roll up a sleeve to give this month and throughout 2019.

Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood

National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.

During the winter months, inclement weather often results in canceled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses like the flu may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate.

“A blood donation truly is a ‘gift of life’ that a healthy individual can give to others in their community who are sick or injured,” said Stephen Sears, VA Maine Healthcare System Chief of Staff, “In one hour’s time, a person can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components that could help save multiple lives.”

Many VA medical centers will be holding blood drives throughout the year. Contact your local VA facility for information on their event.

For information on the Corpus Christi area VA center blood drives, contact the following clinics:

Corpus Christi VA Clinic: (361) 806-5645

Old Brownsville VA Clinic: (361) 806-5600

South Enterprise VA Clinic (361) 939-6510