SleevesUp

January is National Blood Donor Month and this year, American Red Cross supporters have a new way to help save lives through blood and platelet donation with the Sleeves Up virtual blood drive.

SleevesUp is a first-of-its-kind website that lets you create a virtual blood drive and encourage colleagues, friends and family members to give blood or platelets, or make a financial donation – no matter where they are located across the country.

Creating a SleevesUp campaign is a simple four-step process:

·         Create an account at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp or log in with an existing Facebook or Twitter account.

·         Personalize the campaign with video, pictures or your personal story.

·         Set a goal and timeframe for the campaign.

·         Invite others to join the campaign via email or social media networks, like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 and recognizes the importance of giving blood and platelets while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need. The winter months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelets to meet patient needs. Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can prevent some donors from making or keeping appointments to give.

Blood donors with all blood types, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are needed to ensure blood is available for patients. If you haven’t made a donation appointment yet for 2015, do it now at redcrossblood.org. Then, check out SleevesUp and invite others to join you making a lifesaving donation.