National Blood Donor Awareness Month at Blood Assurance

Caitlin Stanley with Blood Assurance joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to highlight the importance of donating blood during National Blood Donor Awareness Month.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Blood Assurance is calling for blood donors during January for National Blood Donor Awareness Month due to the decrease of blood donations during the winter months.

Due to the low temperatures and flu season, often blood banks see less and less blood donations during the winter months. Blood Assurance is especially calling for more donations following multiple blood bank cancellations due to the recent snow storm in the Tennessee Valley.

To donate blood, the minimum requirements are to be 16 years old with parental consent or older, be in good health, and weigh at least 110 lbs. Donors do not need to know their blood type before coming in.

As always, Blood Assurance is in critical need of O Negative blood as it is a universal donor. But only 6% of the population have the O Negative blood type, which makes it harder to keep a supply of. Blood Assurance is giving away a $25 gift card for O Negative donors to encourage blood donation.

Blood Assurances needs a 5 to 7 day supply of blood to be able to provide to local hospitals. Donating blood will save a life of a loved one and it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to donate.

To schedule a donation or to learn more, visit the Blood Assurance website.