BOISE, Idaho — Gov. Brad Little will proclaim Feb. 4 as Red Cross Day at the Idaho State Capitol, recognizing the services and support the American Red Cross provides to communities across Idaho. The governor also will proclaim March as National Red Cross Month, a time when the Red Cross asks everyone to be a hero in their community by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or making a donation.
After the proclamation, Idaho legislators and members of the executive branch will join Little at the Idaho Capitol to donate blood. The community is invited to join them at the blood drive to help replenish the blood supply on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The need for blood is critical this time of year as severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses often lead to fewer donations.
“As a longtime blood donor myself, I encourage Idahoans to participate in Red Cross blood drives and help our fellow friends, neighbors and citizens,” Little said. “We can save lives through blood donation.”
Little is a longtime Red Cross blood donor and supporter and has given 50 units of blood through the years. The Red Cross in Idaho will present the governor with an award Tuesday morning for contributing to the lifesaving blood on the shelves that gives hope and strength to patients in need.
“Gov. Little is a steadfast supporter of the Red Cross, and we can’t thank him enough for helping us save lives,” said Nicole Sirak Irwin, Red Cross regional executive for Idaho and Montana. “There is a constant, often critical need for blood to keep up with hospital demand, and the only source of lifesaving blood is volunteer blood donors like Gov. Little.”
Blood donations help people fighting cancer, those battling chronic illnesses and accident victims with traumatic injuries. The Red Cross in Idaho Red Cross collects more than 60,000 units of blood each year at 2,400 blood drives across the state.
Donors of all blood types – especially types O positive and O negative – are urged to make an appointment to give blood now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting the Red Cross website, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device and use sponsor code StateCapitol.
