National Blood Donation Week encourages people to give blood following summer shortage

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - It’s National Blood Donation Week. Every year since 2016, it’s been celebrated during the first full week of September.

The goal of National Blood Donation Week is to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and to encourage people to donate.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. From surgeries and cancer treatments to trauma care and chronic illnesses, blood is used to treat a variety of patients.

That’s why blood shortages are alarming at any point of the year.

During the summer, blood supply is low for a number of reasons. The heat can make it uncomfortable for people to donate, and vacations and holiday travel usually places blood donation low on people’s priority list.

Dr. Daliah Wach says as the school year picks up and people return to work, the national supply of blood should increase with help from donations and events held this week. She says these events are an easy way to give back without breaking the bank.

“When we hear that there’s needs and we want to donate, it’s difficult sometime to pull money together during certain times of year, but with this it’s free, it’s your blood. We can’t make blood in the lab. We can’t reproduce it. The only way to have blood to give patients is from us.”

States across the country, including Georgia, have their own Blood Donation Day, most often on September 4th.

The dedicated day encourages local communities to participate in blood drives and donation events.

The following locations in Savannah are holding blood drives on Georgia’s Blood donation day:

• Mercer University School of Medicine - Savannah Campus, 1250 E. 66th Street from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave from 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

This week also serves to thank existing donors. Local blood banks usually pass out gifts, like t-shirts and gift cards, to incentivize people to give blood, as well as show their appreciation for the lifesaving action.

Dr. Wachs says there are some people who are unable to donate blood, but there are other ways they can help. The easiest thing they can do is host a blood drive at their workplace or at an event.

“One pint of blood has the ability to save multiple lives, so imagine what a blood drive you hosting could do or a whole state like Georgia Blood Danation Day or what a whole country could do during national Blood Donation Week.”

You can donate blood at any local blood bank. It’s all used to help people in need, whether those people are in your own community or all the way across the country.

Here in Savannah, you can visit the American Red Cross, the Blood Connection and many more.