WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina is committed to ensuring the safety and security of those living and visiting our state; and
WHEREAS, a steady blood supply is essential to maintain hospitals’ needs to provide blood products for patients; North Carolina is home to The Blood Connection, whose mission is to provide local healthcare partners with adequate, safe, and cost-effective blood supplies and services; and
WHEREAS, The Blood Connection has experienced low donor turnout and in turn a very low blood supply amongst COVID-19 pandemic challenges; and
WHEREAS, one blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives and every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood; and
WHEREAS, an estimated one in every seven patients will need a blood transfusion in a hospital, and estimated thirty-eight percent of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, but less than ten percent do; and
WHEREAS, National Blood Donation Month serves as an important reminder to maintain a sufficient blood supply through volunteer donors; and when communities share blood, healing happens, individuals thrive, and families remain whole;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January, 2022, as “BLOOD DONATION MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.