Maybe you should, because your community blood supply is pulsing all around you. In local hospitals, on blood bank shelves, in delivery vehicles on the road next to you.
January is National Blood Donor Month. President Richard Nixon 53 years ago designated January to recognize those who donate blood and to encourage donation during the time of year when the need is most acute.
Blood supplies tend to be depleted in January, as cold weather, holiday obligations and the cold and flu season do their best to disrupt donor efforts.
Just why are blood supplies often so critically low, you might wonder.
Here’s why: Donated blood doesn’t stay usable for very long. Someone in this country needs blood every two seconds, and few who are eligible to donate do. Those who need blood, like accident victims, chemotherapy patients and organ transplant recipients, need lots of it.
To donate, you must be 17 years old, though in some states 16-year-olds can donate with parental consent. You must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
If you meet the minimum standards, the process is simple. Before donating, you’re asked a few questions about your health history to determine whether it’s safe for you to give and for someone to receive your blood.
Your iron, temperature, pulse and blood pressure are checked.
The actual donation takes only about 10 minutes and is fairly easy. Afterward, you relax a bit before returning to normal activities.
Giving blood, like many things, can go better with a friend. Plus, post-donation juice and cookies are always more fun with a buddy.