Blood Donor Appreciation Month

January is Blood Donor Appreciation Month!

The American Red Cross wants to thank everyone who has donated blood and as a result helped thousands of people in need.

Never donated blood before? Why not start now! January is the time when blood donations are needed the most, since supplies of blood tend to dip due to fewer donations, but the number of people in need of blood is still great.

Click here to Find out the benefits of donating blood and the donation Process

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood

About 5 months ago I decided that I needed to donate blood. My main job here at the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter is to coordinate, book, and attend Community Disaster Education Events. A group of volunteers and myself go out into the community and talk about being prepared! (You can book a presentation at your school, church, or organization too)

During these presentations and at health fairs, many people ask questions about blood donations. The Blood Services Division is separate from our chapter office, and also happens to be about 9 miles away. Therefore, I didn't have the answers to their questions, like how long do you have to donate after getting a tattoo (12 months if the needles were not sterile).

Finally I had time to go down to the American Red Cross Donor Center in Murray. I made an appointment online, received a confirmation e-mail and I was on my way. My experience was great and the people working there were extremely friendly and excited that it was my first time donating. I was nervous to say the least, but the process was painless and the guy who took my blood was conversational and made me forget I even had a needle in me. (Thank you Jed at Blood Services!)

Moral of this blog post: Your blood is needed! As the title of this post suggests, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. So sign up for an appointment today!

Helping Those in Need

The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter responded to a fire on Wednesday, December 10th in Salt Lake that burned 4 people out of their home. The disaster volunteers helped the individuals with immediate essential needs like clothing, food and shelter. Ironically, while these volunteers were running to a fire to help people, other volunteers were delivering thank you cards and poinsettia plants (donated by Smith’s) to the Chapter’s top 100 donors. Those people fund and support the Chapter efforts and help make it possible for us to respond to people in disasters and help prepare our community for disasters and emergencies!

CRS donates $6300

Launch A Workplace Campaign for the American Red Cross, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Dear Friend,

Would you like to help your local Red Cross Chapter?

That is what Caldwell Richards Sorensen did. They saw local Red Cross volunteers on the news helping during the hurricane season and CRS decided they wanted to help their local chapter. CRS launched a campaign in the workplace. Employees had the option to make a donation to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter right out of their paychecks and then the company matched the donation at the end of the month.

The grand total came to $6,300! The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross shares a big THANK YOU to CRS! Now, it is your turn. If you'd like to launch a campaign at your workplace, give us a call and we'll set it up for you. Call our Development Director Neva Baker at 801-323-7003 or email nbaker@utahredcross.org.

Stop by: www.utahredcross.org