Call for At-Home Workers to Give Blood This January During National Blood Donor Month
HOUSTON— January is National Blood Donor Month, and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and the national blood community is asking all eligible at-home workers to commit to donating blood at least twice throughout 2022.
Organizations allowing employees to work from home have impacted their ability to host successful blood drives. Much of the remote workforce is no longer donating as frequently since they are not back in the office where their blood drives are hosted. This has contributed to national blood supply concerns. In recent months, local hospital usage, mainly for red blood cells, has risen by 10% because of an increase in surgeries, traumas, and mass transfusions.
We encourage local businesses to allow and encourage their remote employees to find a donation location nearby to donate blood. Donating blood is a safe and simple process, and all eligible individuals are encouraged to make an appointment.
It is the blood on the shelf that has been donated, collected, tested, and processed that saves lives. Blood centers nationwide strive to always maintain three or more days of blood for routine or emergency needs. Right now, many communities have two days or less, putting patient care at risk.
Be the difference in saving a life by making blood donation a habit this January and committing to donate at least twice this year, no matter where you work.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood components 24/7 to more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a 26-county Texas Gulf Coast region. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is a nonprofit organization and is accredited by the Food and Drug Administration.