Windom, MN – January marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to honor the invaluable contributions of the millions of blood donors nationwide who assist patients during critical moments. Windom Area Health will host a community blood drive Tuesday, January 9th between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Donors may schedule a donation appointment by clicking here, or logging onto cbblifeblood.org, selecting “events” and January 9th, or calling Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222. To express our gratitude to our community’s blood donors, all donors will receive a $15 Dairy Queen gift card.
According to the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals (ADRP), one in seven patients admitted to hospitals require blood, supporting a range of needs from trauma cases to individuals fighting diseases such as sickle cell disease, Thalassemia, or undergoing organ or bone marrow transplants. Blood donations are vital for 25% of all cancer patients, and one out of every 83 newborn deliveries in the U.S. necessitates blood transfusions—a rate that has surged by over 50% between 2006 and 2015. While older Americans contribute significantly as donors, with a 15% increase in donations among those aged 65 and above from 2017 to 2019, there has been a concerning decline in donations among younger individuals aged 16 to 24 during the same period.
Ken Versteeg, Executive Director of the Community Blood Bank, emphasizes, “National Blood Donor Month is a significant time when we acknowledge how each donor and donation fortifies our blood supply. January sees heightened demand for blood due to challenging weather conditions impacting travel safety, coupled with the cold and flu season hindering potential donors. We eagerly welcome new donors to our blood bank program as well as those that have donated with us multiple times. For nearly 50 years, Community Blood Bank has been a local blood provider to the region and for 30 years the sole blood provider to Windom Area Health. We are excited and standing ready to support both long-time and first-time donors in the life-saving act of donating blood.”
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form available at cbblifeblood.org), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health. Individuals displaying cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. Valid identification is required at registration. It’s recommended to eat a meal and hydrate adequately before donating blood.