The month of January is usually a period of critical blood shortages. People stop donating blood during the holidays and when they get sick during cold and flu season. Blood drives also get snowed out during the winter months.
More than 50 years ago — on December 31, 1969 — the president of the United States signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month (NBDM). The new monthly observance was meant to honor voluntary blood donors and to encourage more people to give blood at a time when more blood is needed.
Throughout the decades, AABB marked NBDM with a series of activities that highlight the importance of blood donation.
Follow AABB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to participate in our NBDM activities.
AABB will be sharing information about blood donation on social media each day during NBDM. We encourage you to also share and use the images during the month.