Resolve to give blood with the Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages people to help meet the urgent need for blood by resolving to give blood in January – National Blood Donor Month.
Donating blood is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016. Janssen received frequent blood transfusions – sometimes multiple times a week – until she underwent a liver transplant last January.
“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”
The critical role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.
The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood or platelets regularly, beginning in January.
Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in January:
• Jan. 10 – New Boston, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Michigan Academy of EMS, 17612 Commerce Dr.
• Jan. 13 – Canton, 8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 44800 Warren Rd.; 8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., St. John Neumann Catholic Church – Power Reds, 44800 Warren Rd.
• Jan. 17 – Canton, 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Gardner White Furniture, 39453 Ford Rd.; 2-7:45 p.m., Gardner White Furniture, 39453 Ford Rd.
• Jan. 22 – Canton, 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Canton Public Library, 1200 Canton Center Rd.; 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Summit on the Park, 46000 Summit Parkway
• Jan. 25 – 12:30 – 6:15 p.m., Liberty Middle School, 46250 Cherry Hill Rd.
• Jan. 29 – 1:30-7:15 p.m., Geneva United Presbyterian, 5835 Sheldon Rd.