Did you not make a New Year's resolution? Want to easily make a difference in a big way?

Give blood.

January is National Blood Donor month, what better way to start your year, then giving blood?

Since 1970 January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month.  Blood is traditionally in short supply in the winter due to holiday traveling, inclement weather and illness. January in particular is a difficult month for blood donations, yet the need for blood never ceases.

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• Only 3 in every 100 Americans donate blood.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.

The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min. Click here to learn more about the blood donation process and what to expect.

Find a Red Cross blood drive near you and help save lives.