By Jeanni Ritchie
January is National Blood Donor Month, a time set aside each year to highlight a quiet but critical need that never takes a break: a steady supply of donated blood. While the calendar may turn and holidays come and go, hospitals rely on blood donations every single day to save lives, perform surgeries, treat chronic illnesses, and respond to emergencies.
The month of January is especially important because blood donations tend to drop during the winter. Cold weather, seasonal illness, travel delays, and packed post-holiday schedules all contribute to fewer donors showing up, even as patient needs remain constant. Blood has a limited shelf life—red blood cells last about 42 days, and platelets only five—so there is no such thing as “stockpiling” blood for later. What is donated today is often used within days.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Trauma victims, cancer patients, premature babies, people with blood disorders, and those undergoing surgeries all depend on donors they will never meet.
Some receive blood from their own family members. Excited that my own daughter and I shared the same blood type (A+), it gave me great comfort knowing my blood would be running through her body after her heart surgery. Sadly, she was unable to receive it because my blood was CMV-positive, a virus that often lies dormant after exposure but is dangerous for newborns. Only 40% of the population is CMV-negative, and blood banks often call these donors when a critically ill baby needs blood. My blood went to another patient in need, and a selfless donor gave blood for my daughter instead.
One single donation can help save up to three lives, making it one of the most direct and immediate ways an individual can make a difference.
Helping doesn’t stop with donating blood. Hosting a blood drive, encouraging friends or family to donate, sharing accurate information, or even helping someone get to an appointment can all make a meaningful impact. Awareness matters, because consistent donors are the backbone of a reliable blood supply.
National Blood Donor Month isn’t about a single day or a single gesture—it’s about reminding communities that lifesaving care depends on everyday generosity. The need is constant, the impact is immediate, and the opportunity to help is always within reach.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
