Resolve to give blood with the Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages people to help meet the urgent need for blood by resolving to give blood this January — National Blood Donor Month.

Donating blood is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016.

Janssen received frequent blood transfusions — sometimes multiple times a week — until she underwent a liver transplant last January.

“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong in the new year is to host a Red Cross blood drive.

To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Lincoln County: Ivanhoe: Tuesday, January 22, 12 to 6 p.m., at Bethany-Elim Lutheran, 102 S. Highway 5

Lyon County: Minneota: January 23 from 1-7 p.m. at American Legion, 208 N. Jefferson