Governor Proclaims Blood Donation Month 2023

WHEREAS, since 1969, January has been recognized as Blood Donation Month to bring awareness to the importance of routine blood donation; and

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’ need 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 responsibility of maintaining that safe and adequate blood supply also falls on each member of the community that is eligible to donate blood; and

WHEREAS, one blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives; 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 an estimated 38 percent of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 10 percent do; and

WHEREAS, Blood Donation Month serves as an important reminder to maintain a sufficient blood supply through volunteer donors; 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, 2023, as “BLOOD DONATION MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.