Quigley, Lee, Heck Introduce Bipartisan National Blood Donor Month Resolution

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Joe Heck (NV-03), introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring January as "National Blood Donor Month." The resolution highlights the importance of volunteer blood donations to the national blood supply. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) also introduced this resolution in the Senate.

"Every two seconds, a person in the United States needs blood for lifesaving treatments, but less than 10 percent of the eligible population donates blood on an annual basis. I appreciate Reps. Barbara Lee and Joe Heck joining me to bring attention to this important issue," said Rep. Quigley. "Honoring January as National Blood Donor Month will help ensure that U.S. blood donation policies, including donor deferral policies, keep pace with medical science and contribute to a robust, eligible population of donors to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply."

"I'm a proud to co-sponsor this resolution to raise awareness about the need for blood donations," said Rep. Lee. "Blood and blood products are critical to the treatment of many medical conditions and blood supplies are routinely chronically low. We must take every opportunity to promote blood donation and continue efforts to reform current policies that are discriminatory and unscientific."

"One of the most obvious takeaways from my time working in civilian and military hospital emergency departments is that blood donation saves lives," said Rep. Heck. "Volunteer blood donors are absolutely critical to overall public health efforts and emergency preparedness and yet not nearly enough of eligible donors give blood. I commend my colleague Congressman Mike Quigley for drafting this resolution to highlight the critical need of maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply to meet the demands of our patients and urge everyone to consider becoming a blood donor."

"National Blood Donor Month" acknowledges the important role of volunteer blood donors in protecting the health and emergency preparedness security of the United States. It recognizes the need to promote a safe, stable blood supply and to increase volunteer participation of blood donors. It also endorses efforts to update blood donation policies in a safe and scientifically sound manner to maintain an adequate blood supply.