Local and national organizations are trying to combat a trend in lower blood donations around the holidays while looking ahead to National Blood Donor Month in January.
During the holiday season, blood donations tend to decline, according to Michelle Teter, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks spokeswoman.
"People get distracted, busy and out of their routines during holiday times, which often means they aren't donating and can have a significant impact on the local blood supply," Teter said.
"The true spirit of the holiday season lies in the kindness we extend to others," Teter said. "By donating blood, you are offering a gift of hope and life that lasts well beyond the holidays."
Likewise, the American Red Cross is also encouraging people to give blood around the holidays, suggesting people make the activity a "holiday habit."
Demand for blood during the holidays coincides with a lower availability of donors due to vacations and holiday activities, seasonal illnesses, school breaks and severe weather, according to a Red Cross news release.
However, the amount of blood needed during the holidays sometimes goes up, according to Pearl McElfish, director of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Community Health Innovation. While elective procedures are more likely to be put off around the holidays, emergency procedures can often increase because of a rise in traffic accidents related to holiday travel or emergency health issues tied to increased stress, she said.
"The donation of blood is one of the most important gifts that we can give," McElfish said. "As we are running around buying presents for friends and family, one of the best ways we can give back to our community is through blood donations."
Every two seconds, someone in America requires a blood transfusion, with over 42,000 units of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma used by patients each day, according to America's Blood Centers, an association of independent nonprofit blood centers in the U.S. and Canada. Transfusions are essential in treating acute care needs such as trauma, as well as in disease management for patients facing cancer treatment, cardiovascular and orthopedic surgeries, and organ and bone marrow transplants, according to the association.
There's another good reason to donate, McElfish said. Donating blood burns a good deal of calories, so taking a 30-minute sit and a momentary needle stick can help people counteract some of the effects of enjoying all those holiday treats.
ENCOURAGING DONATIONS
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is asking all eligible blood donors to give ahead of the holidays during its 30th annual Miracle of Giving Blood Drive, according to a news release from the organization. The blood drive will be held on two days -- Tuesday and Dec. 31 -- at all Community Blood Center donor centers throughout Northwest Arkansas and southeast Missouri.
Donation hours and locations for the drives are:
Bentonville: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Bentonville Donor Center, 1400 S.E. Walton Blvd.
Springdale: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Springdale Donor Center, 3503 S. Thompson St.
Joplin, Mo.: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Joplin Donor Center, 101 N. Range Line Road.
Springfield, Mo.: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Thomson Donor Center, 220 W. Plainview Road.
All donor centers will be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Successful donors will receive a plaid blanket, a "Miracle of Giving" campfire mug, a $10 Casey's gas gift card and a box of Verse chocolate, according to the release.
To help avoid wait times, the organization suggests people make appointments at cbco.org/miracle/ or by calling (417) 227-5006.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross also has several blood drives planned in the area through the end of the year. They include:
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Medical Arts Pharmacy, 2515 E. Huntsville Road, Fayetteville.
10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Monday, Rogers Police Department, 1905 S. Dixieland Road, Rogers.
Noon-4 p.m. Monday, Center for Nonprofits, 1200 W. Walnut St., Rogers.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Hilton Garden Inn Bentonville, 2204 S.E. Walton Blvd., Bentonville.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Rogers Convention Center, 3201 Pinnacle Hills Parkway.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, The Garage, 190 Smith St., Pea Ridge.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Springdale Recreation Center, 1906 Cambridge St., Springdale.
Noon-4 p.m. Friday, Holiday Inn & Convention Center Northwest Arkansas, 1500 S. 48th St., Springdale.
1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 Old Missouri Road, Fayetteville.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 30, Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W. Mountain Street, Fayetteville.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 30, Ledger Bentonville, 240 S. Main St., Bentonville.
1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Dec. 30, First Baptist Church Rogers, 3364 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers.
NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH
The need for blood won't stop once the New Year's Eve ball drops. January is National Blood Donor Month, and several groups are encouraging people to start the new year off with a blood donation.
President Richard Nixon proclaimed January 1970 as the first National Blood Donor Month on Dec. 31, 1969, as requested by Senate Joint Resolution 154, to pay tribute to voluntary blood donors and encourage individuals to become blood donors. The month is still observed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services each year.
This year's National Blood Donor Month theme is Celebrating Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity in Blood Donation, according to Dr. Rachel Levine, an assistant secretary at Health and Human Services.
"The theme emphasizes that although all Americans are encouraged to donate blood, it is especially important for people from diverse backgrounds to do so," she said. "This helps ensure that people who have rare blood types have compatible blood available to them when they need it."
McElfish at the Institute for Community Health Innovation said donating blood is something she does "every two months like clockwork," and she hopes more people will make the activity part of their routine, akin to biannual teeth cleaning or getting a haircut.
Mobile blood donation units come to the institute's campus and other UAMS campuses often. McElfish said any nonprofit organization or business should consider working with a blood center to have a mobile unit visit their location as well.
"They will bring the blood donation unit right to your parking lot," she said.
Kate Fry, chief executive officer at America's Blood Centers, said nearly 7 million people across the U.S. donate blood each year.
"That simple yet powerful decision is a lifeline for those facing a health crisis or requiring a transfusion for disease management," Fry said.