DAYTON, Ohio – Be part of a lifesaving team by donating during January National and Ohio Blood Donor Awareness Month.  Community Blood Center challenges eligible donors to make a New Year’s resolution to give blood three times in 2021. Schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call (937) 461-3220.

The New Year’s Resolution Blood Drive continues through Dec. 31 at the Dayton CBC Donor Center, 349 South Main St. with a free Kroger $10 gift card to everyone who registers to donate.  Donors also get the “Hometown Hero” long-sleeve t-shirt and “Holiday Hero” face mask, while supplies last.

CBC will introduce the special edition “Team Donor – Blood Donor Awareness Month” long-sleeve t-shirt on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31.  It is free when you register to donate with CBC Dec. 31 through Feb. 27.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley will visit the Dayton CBC Donation Center Monday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. to help kickoff January National Blood Month and the third annual observance of Ohio Blood Donor Awareness Month.

CBC will host the “Thanks for Joining the Team” blood drive Friday, Jan. 8 at the Dayton CBC Donor Center. Everyone who registers to donate at the Dayton CBC will get a gift bag that includes a Chic-Fil-A $5 gift card, socks, hand sanitizer, and candy. They will also receive the “Team Donor” t-shirt.

State Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-5^th District) introduced legislation for an Ohio Blood Donor Month in 2017. It was signed it into law Feb. 8, 2018 and first observed in January 2019. The key goals are to thank all donors and to encourage more people to donate.

The traditional challenges of winter emphasized during January Blood Donor Awareness Month are more severe this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in coronavirus cases has resulted in multiple businesses and high school blood drive cancellations. Blood drives that have remained on schedule are operating at reduced capacity.

The rise in coronavirus hospitalizations has created peak demand for COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma for the immediate treatment of critically ill coronavirus patients. The Dayton CBC Donor Center is open Sundays for CCP collection and CBC welcomes new sponsors of CCP mobile plasma drives.

All registered CCP donors receive a Kroger $25 gift card and the “Support the Fight Against COVID – Donate Convalescent Plasma” t-shirt. First-time CCP donors must have proof of positive test and should register at www.GivingBlood.org or call (937) 461-3220.