National Blood Donation Day is an observance and campaign that highlights the need for blood. Multiple states throughout the United States have their state blood donation day on this same day uniting the country in its effort to keep blood banks and hospitals stocked. In 2016, National Blood Donation Day is September 10. This day culminates National Blood Donation Week, which in 2016 falls on September 4 - September 10
Background:
In 2015, syndicated radio host and family physician Dr. Daliah Wachs , requested Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to create a Nevada Blood Donation Day to help the state raise blood and awareness. Uniting with United Blood Services and the American Red Cross, Nevada Blood Donation Day held blood drives across the state and its success prompted the campaign to continue in 2016. During this year, blood shortages were being reported nationally. Dr. Daliah approached Governors in all 50 states to help proclaim state blood donation days, and United Blood Services, the American Red Cross and blood banks across the US joined forces to help bring this national campaign to light. By September 2016, the majority of states had proclaimed state blood donation days. Indiana and Arizona proclaimed a blood donation week during this time and Alaska proclaimed the entire month of September Alaska Blood Drive Donor Challenge Month.
States with proclaimed Blood Donation Days on September 10 include: Oklahoma, Mississippi, New Mexico, Connecticut, North Dakota, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Indiana, Arkansas, Vermont, Utah, Montana, Louisiana, Alabama, Missouri, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Oregon, Iowa, Florida, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, Georgia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska.
The state of Nevada, who was the first to proclaim a state blood donation day, observed April 23, 2016 as Nevada Blood Donation Day.
The First Tuesday in September has been designated Michigan Blood Donation Day.