Health Observances

National Blood Donor Month

Since the winter months traditionally yield lower numbers of blood donations, January has been designated as National Blood Donor Month (NBDM) to encourage donors to give or pledge to give blood. Every day in the U.S., approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims. For blood donor information, visit AABB.

National Donor Day

February 14 is National Donor Day, a day to give the gift of life.

• Fill out an organ and tissue donation card, register at the Legacy Organ and Tissue Donor Registry and make sure your family knows you want to be a donor.
• Join the National Registry of potential volunteer marrow and blood stem cell donors. Learn how you can donate your baby's umbilical cord blood stem cells at birth. Visit Blood Marrow and Cord Blood Donation and Transplantation for more information.
• Find a blood donation center near you at American's Blood Centers and donate blood.

National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month. Visit the Legacy Organ and Tissue Donor Registry and register to be a donor today. For more information about National Donate Life Month, visit OrganDonor.Gov.

Hepatitis Awareness Month and World Hepatitis Day

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, while World Hepatitis Day falls on July 28. For more information, visit the CDC Viral Hepatitis Resource Center and World Health Organization - World Hepatitis Day.

World Blood Donor Day

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, which was created to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion; highlight the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems; and support national blood transfusion services, blood donor organizations and other nongovernmental organizations in strengthening and expanding their voluntary blood donor programs. Visit the World Health Organization to learn more.

Find a blood donation center near you at American's Blood Centers.

National Minority Donor Awareness Month

August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month. For more information, visit Donate Life.

National Liver Awareness Month

October is National Liver Awareness Month. To learn more about liver disease awareness and wellness, visit the American Liver Foundation.