Make January the month to donate blood

Since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month. To help ensure an adequate blood supply, the Lee Memorial Blood Center has joined with AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) to stress the importance of donating blood.

Blood Center spokeswoman Nancy Hendrick said the need for blood is constant, and volunteer blood donors contribute to nearly all the blood used for patient care in the United States.

"If all who are eligible to donate would do so on a regular basis (three to four times per year), blood needs could be met and shortages could become a thing of the past," she said.

Everyone, whether it is realized or not, depends on blood, Hendrick said. Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 39,000 units of this lifesaving resource. This year alone, as many as five million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.

People who are interested in becoming blood donors should call Lee Memorial Blood Center at (239)334-5333 for more information or to schedule an appointment to give.