FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2020
National Blood Donor Month Raises Awareness for the Need for Blood in January
Anchorage, AK: January is National Blood Donor Month and Blood Bank of Alaska is encouraging donors to visit their local blood center or a mobile drive. This month was first designated as National Blood Donor Month in 1970 to raise awareness about the need for blood and to recognize those who routinely give blood for patients in need. Inclement weather and busy January schedules often make it challenging for donors to donate at this time of year.
There is no substitute for blood and one donation can save as many as three lives. In Alaska approximately 14,000 individuals volunteer to save lives, which is 2% of those that are eligible to donate. Making the commitment to donate blood on a regular basis keeps our community and patients safe. The blood donated is used for cancer patients, those recovering from surgery, trauma victims and various other medical conditions.
Donors must be at least 16 years of age (16 & 17 year olds must have signed parental consent), be in good general health and weigh 113 pounds or more. Donors take a short health exam that includes blood pressure reading, temperature, and hematocrit reading. A short questionnaire is part of the screening process to determine health history and travel history. Call 907-222-5630 to schedule your appointment or visit bloodbankofalaska.org. All donors will receive 100 hero points when they donate in the month of January.
Find a center or mobile drive near you today and become a blood donor to save a life in the 2020.
We have five convenient center locations open 52 weeks a year.
Main Center 1215 Airport Heights Anchorage, AK 99508
South Anchorage Center: 8920 Old Seward Hwy, Suite C Anchorage, AK 99518
Wasilla Center: 1301 Seward Meridian Pkwy Suite H Wasilla, AK 99654
Fairbanks Center: 3010 Airport Way Fairbanks, AK 99709
Juneau Center: 8800 Glacier Hwy, #236 Juneau, AK 99801
Press Contacts:
Wes Dahlgren
Blood Bank of Alaska
wdahlgren@bbak.org
907-575-7415
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BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA
Blood Bank of Alaska supplies blood to 21 Alaska hospitals and medical centers. Blood Bank of Alaska and its donors are dedicated to serving the Alaska community by providing high quality blood products and related laboratory services while meeting changing healthcare needs. Learn more at www.bloodbankofalaska.org