The clinical importance of sustaining the nation’s blood supply.
Nearly every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Blood donation is critical to carrying out many vital medical procedures – helping patients survive traumatic injuries, chronic illness, surgery, cancer treatment, complications during childbirth and more.
To remind people of the importance of blood donation, January is designated National Blood Donor Month in the U.S. It also encourages people to donate blood and recognizes the individuals who make blood donations. January is an especially vital month for this campaign, as winter is a time of increased risk for blood shortages in the U.S.
“When National Blood Donor Month was first observed in 1970, January was chosen because blood donations often decrease during the holidays and winter months,” said Dr. Claudia Cohn, Chief Medical Officer for the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB). “This is typically attributed to busy schedules during the holiday season, inclement weather and cold and flu season. Yet, patients depend on blood donations year-round.”
Anyone can support critical medical care
Blood donation supports critical medical care, and is an essential, life-saving therapy – with no substitute. A single individual’s blood donation can save up to three lives, according to the NIH.
“Blood is medicine, and is used in the treatment of many patients, including victims of accidents or trauma, patients with certain cancers, patients with sickle cell disease, women who may have lost excessive blood during childbirth, people undergoing routine or scheduled operations and many others,” said Dr. Cohn.
AABB recognizes the importance of blood donation throughout the year as an international, not-for-profit association representing individuals and institutions involved in the field of transfusion medicine and biotherapies.
“The Association works collaboratively to advance the field by developing and delivering standards, accreditation and education programs,” said Dr. Cohn. “AABB is dedicated to its mission of improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available and effective worldwide.”
A steady national blood supply
Hospitals are in constant need of donated blood for use in medical procedures. According to AABB, without a safe, adequate and readily available blood supply, countless patients would not have optimal care, which could compromise their treatment and health.
“Blood is a vital part of health care. The need for blood is constant – and the blood community works tirelessly to encourage people to donate throughout the year,” said Dr. Cohn. “The winter months often see a decrease in blood donations, as do the summer months.”
Winter shortages are often due to cold weather and holiday travel, and summer month shortages are due to high school and college summer break, traveling in May through August and an increased demand for blood for due to a higher incidence of traumatic injuries, according to America’s Blood Centers.
“These times of year can be challenging for the blood community, and many centers participate in special initiatives during these times to try to encourage donations,” said Dr. Cohn.
Blood donation campaigns are increasingly targeting younger generations – recent data show that in general, individuals from older generations are more likely to be regular blood donors compared with those from younger generations. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were often shortages and significant fluctuations in both the need and supply of blood.
America’s Blood Centers, ADRP and the Association of Blood Donor Professionals found that donations from 16- to 18-year-olds and adults under 25 declined 61% and 32% between 2019 and 2021, possibly related to pandemic-related school closures, while donations from adults age 25-64 and 65 or older increased 14% and 41%, according to a guide highlighting changes in U.S. blood donation and use.
The percentage of first-time donors also fell from 31% to 26% between 2019 and 2021. In fact, only 3% of overall age-eligible individuals in the U.S. give blood each year, according to the NIH.
“Blood shortages during the pandemic led to several urgent calls for blood donations. Today, the situation has improved and, in general, the blood supply in the United States is more stable,” said Dr. Cohn. “However, at any given time, there is usually only a few days’ supply of blood available, and any fluctuations in the need or number of donations could have significant effects on patient care.”
There is a need for ongoing blood donations from younger and more diverse populations to ensure the nation’s blood supply remains resilient. More eligible donors of each blood type and age category trying to donate blood contributes to a steady blood supply while preventing future shortages.
“The blood community continues to encourage eligible individuals of all ages to donate blood – and donate regularly,” said Dr. Cohn. “Doing so will help maintain a stable and adequate blood supply so that blood is always available for patients in need.”
Many people are eligible to donate blood; and blood donation is most often a safe and simple procedure. Eligible blood donors must not have donated blood in the previous eight weeks, must weigh at least 110 pounds, be at least 16 years old and be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation, according to the American Red Cross.
“It’s the blood already on the shelves that saves lives in an emergency,” said Dr. Cohn. “Blood needs to be collected, tested, processed, transferred and stored before given to a patient, so regular blood donation ensures a blood supply is already available when the need arises.”
New initiatives encouraging donation
Recently, AABB has been developing new initiatives to support health care advancements that decrease the time from blood donation to transfusion for trauma patients.
The Standards for Emergency Prehospital and Scheduled Out-of-Hospital Transfusions maintain and enhance the quality and safety of services provided by emergency medical service (EMS) and out-of-hospital transfusion services (including infusion centers, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, hospice or home care settings), and provide the basis for accreditation by AABB.
“In 2025, AABB unveiled a new Prehospital Transfusion Standards and Accreditation program to advance quality and safety in this important step forward in patient care,” said Dr. Cohn. “AABB is committed to supporting the growing number of emergency medical service professionals who are improving the rate of survival for accident victims by providing emergency transfusions at the site of injury and enroute to the hospital.”
To provide ongoing support for both healthcare professionals and the national blood supply, AABB encourages all eligible healthcare professionals, employers and community organizations to participate in more frequent blood donations.
“Blood donation is a simple and quick act of altruism that can make a profound difference in someone’s life,” said Dr. Cohn. “AABB reminds people that you can never know when blood will be needed – and that anyone could be a patient in need of a blood transfusion someday.”
Learn More
Find more information about additional requirements for blood donation by visiting www.aabb.org/donate, or find the nearest blood collection facility and make an appointment to donate now.