As the primary supplier of blood for the majority of hospitals in San Diego, the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB) is challenging eligible individuals to donate blood in 2020 with the goal of creating a robust supply that can meet local hospital patient needs.
Blood donations are always needed but coming out of the holiday season, blood banks across the country traditionally see a decrease in donations at this time. High school and college blood drives are on hiatus while schools are out of session for the holidays, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate.
January has observed as National Blood Donor Month since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.
“Every three seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood,” said Dr. David Wellis, San Diego Blood Bank CEO. “There is no substitute, so we need our community to come out and donate and there’s no better time than National Blood Donor Month.”
To be eligible to donate blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in general good health. For more information on National Blood Donor Month or to make an appointment, visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org or call 1-800-4MY-SDBB.