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January 2024
Volume 10 | Issue No. 80
January is National Blood Donor Month in
the U.S., coinciding with the time of year
that often packs a one-two punch of blood
supply shortages and reduced donations
due to the busyness of the holiday season,
the unpredictability of weather, and the
height of cold/flu/Covid season. For over
half a century, beginning with President
Richard Nixon's proclamation in January
1970, National Blood Donor Month has
brought awareness to maintaining an
adequate nationwide blood inventory
and honored voluntary donors. It is also
intended to encourage more people to roll
up their sleeves to give blood at a time of
year when the lifesaving resource is most
needed. However, there were times when
entire demographic groups were banned
from donating.
Race and Blood Donation
The first blood bank was founded in Chicago
in 1937 by Dr. Bernard Fantus to safely store
blood for just a few days, either for self-
transfusions or to be used by others.
However, Fantus' early bank did not have
standardized methods of collecting,
testing, or handling donations.
In 1939, Charles Drew, an African-American
medical student, conducted his doctoral
research on how to store blood for a
more extended timeframe so it could be
available as needed. He also focused on
the necessity of recruiting donors, screening
them for suitability, and training staff in
safe and effective collection methods. He
was instrumental in developing a program
dubbed "Blood for Britain," which collected
and shipped donated American blood to
British soldiers coming under German fire in
Europe in 1939-40.
This research and experience laid the
foundation for launching a nationwide
blood banking pilot program in the U.S.
through the Red Cross – the National Blood
Donor Service, which officially began in
November 1941.
READ MORE
Please consider giving blood. The need is critical, and your
donation is important. Even if you are deferred as a donor, you
can still help by volunteering to organize or work at a blood
drive.
