January is National Blood Donor Month – Have You Donated Yet?

January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month for more than 40 years. During this month, blood is almost always in short supply because of holiday travel, illness and inclement weather, according to a recent FEMA press release.

"Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, and approximately 40,000 units of red blood are needed every day," FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy said. "Donating blood is a safe, life-saving and selfless gift that enhances the level of preparedness for each and every community in this nation."

The American Red Cross is hosting many mobile blood drives nearby in the coming weeks. Appointments are suggested and often can be made online.

Also, 16-year-olds are now eligible to donate in the state of Michigan. For more information and parental consent forms, click here.

If you want to donate, here are some upcoming local blood drives:

• Jan. 20, 2-8 p.m. at in Rochester Hills
• Jan. 21, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Woodland Elementary School in Troy
• Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at in Oakland Township
• Jan. 21, 2-8 p.m. at Pontiac/Waterford Elks Club #810 in Waterford
• Jan. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Orion
• Jan 24 and 25, 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.  at in Rochester
• Jan 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Henry Ford Patient Financial Services in Troy
• Jan 24, 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Walton Charter Academy in Pontiac
• Jan. 24, 2:30-8:30 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Shelby Township
• Jan. 25-27, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. at in the Oakland Center
• Jan. 25, 1-7 p.m. at in Rochester Hills
• Jan. 26, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Oakland Technical Center High School Northeast in Pontiac
• Jan. 30, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bharatiya Temple in Troy
• Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at in Rochester Hills
• Jan. 31, 1-7 p.m. at in Rochester Hills

To donate at the Bloomfield American Red Cross Donor Center on Telegraph Road, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).