The American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month each January and recognizes the lifesaving contribution of blood and platelet donors. As we begin the New Year, we encourage individuals to roll up a sleeve to give this month and throughout 2021. Winter is one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood to meet patient needs.

Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or by visiting redcrossblood.org. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

To ensure the safety of both patients and donors, these are some of the requirements donors must meet to be eligible to donate blood based on their donation type. To donate blood:

• Donation frequency: Every 56 days
• You must be in good health and feeling well
• You must be at least 16 years old in most states
• You must weigh at least 110 lbs

To view other eligibility requirements for students, visit the Red Cross eligibility webpage.

Health benefits from donating blood:

• Donated blood is tested and donor can asked to be informed if any irregularities are found.
• Satisfaction of saving lives of many people and helping others.
• Calorie burn: blood donation process burns 650 calories, which is about the same as an average spin class.
• Reduced risk of heart disease: helps eliminate excess buildup of iron in the blood.
• Reduced risk of cancer: also due to reduction of excess iron buildup in the blood.
• Stimulates blood cell production: after donating blood, the body works to replenish the blood loss. This stimulates the production of new blood cells and in turn, helps in maintaining good health.