Blood Donation Month: A Simple Way To Give Back This January

January is a natural time for fresh starts, reflection, and renewed commitments to health and community. It also marks a nationally recognized opportunity to shine a light on one quiet but powerful act of generosity: blood donation.

January is also officially recognized as National Blood Donor Month, a time set aside to raise awareness of the constant need for blood and to honor the donors who help save lives through their ongoing commitment to giving.

Why January Is National Blood Donor Month

National Blood Donor Month was established in 1969 to thank donors and raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood, especially during winter when donations often drop. Holiday travel, illnesses, and winter weather all contribute to fewer appointments and blood drives, even though patient needs remain steady or even increase.

For families with loved ones in assisted living or skilled nursing, understanding the importance of blood donation can feel very personal. Many residents at communities like The Neighbors of Dunn County either have received blood products in the past or may rely on them during surgery, treatment, or emergency care.
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The Life-Saving Need for Blood

The need for blood and blood products is constant and nationwide. According to the American Red Cross, every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood or platelets, underscoring how essential donors are to daily medical care. Each day, tens of thousands of units of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are required to support patients in hospitals and care settings across the country.

These donations add up to millions of transfused blood components every year, making a direct difference for people facing surgery, trauma, or complex health conditions. Yet, while an estimated 37–38% of the U.S. population is medically eligible to donate blood, only a small percentage actually donates in any given year, leaving a gap between need and supply.

Who Blood Donations Help

Blood donations support a wide range of patients and conditions, including:

• Trauma patients facing serious injuries or accidents who need blood quickly to survive.
• People undergoing surgery, including many older adults who may require transfusions to prevent complications.
• Patients living with chronic diseases such as cancer, anemia, or sickle cell disease, who often need ongoing access to red blood cells and platelets.
• Pregnant women experiencing complications during pregnancy or childbirth who rely on blood products to stay stable.
• Individuals with liver problems or clotting issues who need plasma and platelets to help their blood clot properly.
• Patients fighting infections or conditions that impact the body’s ability to make enough healthy blood cells.

For many of these patients, there is no substitute for donated blood. Blood cannot be manufactured in a lab, so hospitals and care centers depend entirely on the generosity of community donors.

Why Blood Donation Matters To Senior Care

For families considering or currently using skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, blood donation is closely tied to the continuum of care. Residents in non‑institutional nursing home settings like The Neighbors of Dunn County may face surgeries, falls, infections, or chronic conditions where transfusions are part of effective treatment.

Older adults are more likely to have conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, or anemia that can require blood or platelets to stabilize symptoms, maintain strength, or support recovery. When blood supplies are low, it can be harder for hospitals to meet these needs quickly, particularly during emergencies.

Families often balance work, caregiving, and planning for their own health. Supporting blood donation is one practical way to strengthen the safety net that their parents, spouses, and even they themselves may one day rely on. Donors today help ensure that seniors in Menomonie and beyond receive timely, high‑quality care when they need it most.

Are You Eligible To Donate?

Eligibility for blood donation depends on overall health, age, weight, and certain medical conditions. In general, many adults in good health can donate if they meet age and weight requirements and feel well on the day of donation. Those with managed conditions like high blood pressure or common medications are often still eligible, though final decisions are made at the time of donation.

While roughly a third of the U.S. population meets basic eligibility criteria, only a small fraction donates each year, which is why new and returning donors are always needed. Donation safety standards continue to evolve, and some previous restrictions have been relaxed, allowing more people to contribute than in the past. Anyone interested in donating is encouraged to review current guidelines or contact an organization like the American Red Cross for the most up‑to‑date information.

How To Find A Blood Drive Near You

If you feel inspired to give, one of the easiest ways to get started is by finding a local blood drive or donation center. You can quickly search by ZIP code, city, or date using the American Red Cross “Find a Drive” tool.

Additionally, you can use mobile apps from major blood collection organizations that help you schedule appointments and track previous donations and you can watch for drives hosted by local hospitals, community centers, schools, faith communities, or service clubs.

Even if someone is not eligible to donate, there are still many ways to support blood drives, including volunteering at registration, providing snacks, helping with outreach, or sharing donation information with friends and family.

Ways Families Of Residents Can Support

Loved ones of residents at The Neighbors of Dunn County often ask what they can do beyond visiting and staying involved in care plans. Supporting blood donation efforts is one meaningful option that helps not only their own family member, but also other seniors and patients in need.

Caregivers and adult children can:

• Schedule a blood donation in honor of a parent or grandparent receiving care, using it as a way to celebrate milestones, birthdays, or anniversaries.
• Organize a small group of friends, coworkers, or extended family to attend a local blood drive together.
• Share information about blood donation through social media or email, especially during January when awareness is high.

These simple actions create a ripple effect, strengthening the health care system that serves older adults in Menomonie and throughout Dunn County.

Encouraging Conversations About Health And Giving

National Blood Donor Month is also an opportunity for families to talk about broader health topics with their loved ones. Conversations about blood donation can naturally lead into discussions on:

• Advance care planning and preferences for medical treatment.
• Understanding chronic conditions that might impact future care needs.
• The values of generosity, community support, and mutual responsibility.

For residents who are unable to donate blood themselves, knowing that family or community members are choosing to give in their honor can be powerfully uplifting. It reinforces the message that they are valued, supported, and surrounded by people who care.

National Blood Donor Month And The Neighbors of Dunn County

The Neighbors of Dunn County is a non‑institutional neighborhood of homes providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation services on a beautiful campus in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The community participates in Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Wisconsin Family Care, and hospice care programs, allowing families to access a wide range of support as needs change.

While The Neighbors does not collect blood on site, the campus is deeply connected to the health care network that relies on a stable blood supply. Residents often receive care in partnership with local hospitals and specialists, many of whom depend on donated blood products to perform surgeries, manage chronic illness, and respond to emergencies.

For over a century, the tradition of “Generations of Caring since 1892” has guided the mission of The Neighbors. Supporting National Blood Donor Month is one more way the community honors that legacy: by encouraging families, staff, and neighbors to consider how their choices today can protect and uplift older adults tomorrow.

Contact The Neighbors Of Dunn County

Have questions about our care options or want to schedule a visit? Contact The Neighbors of Dunn County today. We’re here to help families in Menomonie discover personalized senior care solutions.