Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather, and illness - this is why the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has designated January as National Blood Donor Month (NBDM).

The AABB, in conjunction with America's Blood Centers and the American Red Cross, is celebrating NBDM 2008 to encourage donors to give or pledge to give blood. Each day in the United States, 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.

There are three components of blood, the first being red blood cells, which are extracted for use in trauma or surgical patients. Plasma (the liquid part of blood) is administered to patients with clotting problems. The third component of blood (platelets) help form blood clots when cuts or other open wounds occur, and are often used in transplant and cancer patients.

You may be eligible to donate blood if you are at least 17 years of age (some states permit younger people to donate with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and meet other donor requirements. To find out where you can donate blood, you can use the AABB’s Blood Bank Locator. For more information on blood donation, visit healia.com.