January is National Blood Donor Month

Monday, January 18, 2021

Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion. It takes a lot of blood to fulfill that need. Although there is an average of 15.7 million donations a year, supply is still low.

It is estimated that 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 10 percent actually does. With the need for blood seemingly going up each year, it is vitally important for people to generously donate blood.

This January marks the 45th annual National Blood Donor Month. The month serves to recognize the life-saving contribution blood and platelet donors make to modern health care. They try to increase awareness of the critical need for blood and help spotlight special donors who have made an impact.

If you are looking for ways to help, check out the American Red Cross (http://www.redcrossblood.org/) or One Blood (http://www.oneblood.org/about/big-red-bus.stml) to find the closest blood drive or donation center near you. A blood drive is a great way to raise awareness and help an important cause at the same time.

If you are interested in hosting a blood drive at your school or place of work, the American Red Cross and One Blood are both great organizations to contact as well. Other things you can do to help the need for blood nationwide is to volunteer your time to help the blood program, and share the need for blood with your friends and family and encourage them to donate.

Facts about donation:

• Donors must be at least 17 years old

• Donors must weigh more than 110 pounds

• Blood can be donated every 56 days

• Platelets can be donated every seven days (maximum of 24 times annually)

For more information on National Blood Donor Month, please visit the following:

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Celebrates-National-Blood-Donor-M...

https://www.adrp.org/promoting-donation/natl-blood-donor-month/

Check www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up-to-date info. Readers can also contact the local Purdue Extension office at 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events.

Upcoming Events

Jan. 25 – Indiana 4-H Foundation scholarships due. Contact the Extension office if help desired

Jan. 28 – Putnam SWCD and Extension annual meeting - virtual - 7 p.m., registration required at https://tinyurl.com/jointannualmeeting

Feb. 7 – Eating More Heart-Healthy with Fiber, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 – Wild Eats: Cooking for Flavor and Safety-Small Game - virtual - 3-3:30 p.m., register at https://tinyurl.com/wildeatswebinar

Feb. 14 – Eating More Heart-Healthy with Sodium, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 – Eating More Heart-Healthy with Fat, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22 – ServSafe Food Managers online exam, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., $65-$115, register at https://www.purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops

Feb. 28 – Eating More Heart-Healthy Cooking Demo, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.

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