National Blood Donation Week

In the United States, the first full week of September is designated National Blood Donation Week. Established in 2016, the week unites states to hold individual state blood donation days. This serves to assist blood banks all over the country to keep their shelves full and to raise awareness of the continual need to donate blood and blood products. The final day of the week holds most of the states' blood donation days, and is known as National Blood Donation Day.[1]

Background

2016 was plagued with massive reports of blood bank supply shortages.[2] The epidemic of the Zika virus was beginning, causing many who donated blood routinely to abstain from donating for at least a month.[3] 36,000 units of blood are needed each day in the U.S.[4] With mass casualties that occurred during the summer, including the Orlando nightclub shooting and the Dallas officer shooting, a united campaign was necessary to increase the nation's blood supply.

Syndicated radio host and physician Daliah Wachs had created Nevada Blood Donation Day in 2015 in response to local blood shortages, and partnered with United Blood Services and the American Red Cross to create a state day, proclaimed[5][6] by Governor Brian Sandoval. She vowed to help expand this nationally, and in 2016 she created this campaign with United Blood Services, American Red Cross and blood banks throughout the country.

In 2016, governors in the following states proclaimed September 10 to be their state Blood Donation Day:

Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin

The first Tuesday in September has been designated Michigan Blood Donation Day.[7]

In 2017, National Blood Donation Day fell on September 8th, the Friday of National Blood Donation Week.

Governors in the following states proclaimed September 8 to be their state Blood Donation Day for 2017:

Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Arizona declared Arizona Blood Donation Week September 4-10. Maryland declared Maryland Blood Donation Day to be September 7.

In 2018, National Blood Donation Day fell on September 5th, the Wednesday of National Blood Donation Week.

Governors in the following states proclaimed September 5 to be their state Blood Donation Day for 2018:

Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Arizona has proclaimed September 3-10th Arizona Blood Donation Week. Oklahoma proclaimed the month of September Blood Donation Month. Alaska proclaimed the month of July Blood Donation Month.

Governors in the following states proclaimed September 5 to be their state Blood Donation Day for 2019:

Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Florida
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Arizona has proclaimed September 2-9th Arizona Blood Donation Week

For 2020, National Blood Donation Week fell on September 1-7, with National Blood Donation Day on September 4th. Despite many governor's offices dealing with limited staff and resources, with many "suspending proclamations", governors in the following states proclaimed September 4 to be their state Blood Donation Day:

Alabama
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland (September 5th)
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey (September 5th)
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

With Arizona proclaiming September 1-7th Arizona Blood Donation Week.

References

"NTS MediaOnline". Ntsmediaonline.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
"The Nation Has a Major Blood Shortage". ABC News. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
Alexandra Sifferlin. "Travelers to Zika Areas Should Wait to Donate Blood, FDA Says". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
"Blood Facts and Statistics". American Red Cross. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
"Brian Sandoval : Nevada Blood Donation Day". Gov.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
"Brian Sandoval : Nevada Blood Donation Day". Gov.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
National Blood Donation Week (2016-08-18). "Governor Proclamations | National Blood Donation Week". Nationalblooddonationweek.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2016-11-23.

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[1] "NTS MediaOnline". Ntsmediaonline.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.

[2] "The Nation Has a Major Blood Shortage". ABC News. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2016-07-20.

[3] Alexandra Sifferlin. "Travelers to Zika Areas Should Wait to Donate Blood, FDA Says". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.

[4] "Blood Facts and Statistics". American Red Cross. Retrieved 2016-07-20.

[5] "Brian Sandoval : Nevada Blood Donation Day". Gov.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-23.

[6] "Brian Sandoval : Nevada Blood Donation Day". Gov.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-23.

[7] National Blood Donation Week (2016-08-18). "Governor Proclamations | National Blood Donation Week". Nationalblooddonationweek.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2016-11-23.