ACR 115: National Blood Donor Month.

WHEREAS, More than 50 years ago, January was designated as National Blood Donor Month, as an annual observance meant to honor voluntary blood donors and encourage more people to donate blood at a time when blood supplies are historically low; and

WHEREAS, Community blood centers have been serving their communities with the collection and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products to patients in their local hospitals for more than 70 years; and

WHEREAS, In our communities the need for a diverse blood supply is constant, but the supply is not. This makes volunteer blood donors the foundation for ensuring a safe and stable supply of blood products are available to help meet the medical needs of patients nationwide; and

WHEREAS, A blood transfusion occurs in the United States every two seconds, but only 3 percent of the eligible population actually donate blood, bringing about chronic blood shortages nationwide that have exposed the vulnerability of our nation’s blood supply and revealed its need to be included in emergency preparedness plans; and

WHEREAS, O- is the universal blood type, represented by just 6 percent of the population. It is often used in trauma situations, making it the most needed blood type and most likely to be in short supply when there is a blood emergency; and

WHEREAS, With the recent adoption of prehospital blood transfusion programs prior to an individual’s arrival at the hospital, partnerships between community blood centers, hospitals, and emergency medial service (EMS) agencies to transfuse trauma victims out in the field, such as the scene of a car accident, is increasing survival rates; and

WHEREAS, Patients requiring blood transfusions include cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognize the month of January as National Blood Donor Month in the State of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature hereby urges all citizens to celebrate the cause of blood donation and recognize volunteer blood donors for their generous gifts. The Legislature further urges all eligible blood donors to donate regularly, and encourages businesses and organizations throughout the state to sponsor community-based blood drives with their local blood centers and provide citizens of our state with the opportunity to give; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.