How An Hour of Your Time Could Save Someone’s Life
An Encouragement During National Blood Donor Month
1/19/2026
Jennifer Alaspa, Aspirus St. Luke’s Laboratory Director
Imagine walking into your local grocery store and smiling at a young mom with a newborn. You’d never know it’s her first time out since a life-threatening delivery. After hours of labor, she hemorrhaged, but a blood transfusion saved her life. She’ll never know whose blood she received, but it could have been yours.
“About 65 percent of the population can donate, but only three percent do,” shared Corey Bianchi-Rossi, Marketing Manager at Memorial Blood Centers.
Despite that, millions of patients nationwide rely on donated blood each year. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or platelets. This includes a wide range of people, from those involved in serious accidents, to cancer patients, to moms experiencing complications during childbirth.
“Blood is not something we can just purchase,” explained Jennifer Alaspa, Aspirus St. Luke’s Lab Director. “The only way that we can get it is through live human donations.”
For many, donating may seem intimidating and time-consuming. However, the process is far more convenient than most expect. A typical appointment takes about an hour from start to finish, with the actual donation lasting just eight to ten minutes. Afterwards, donors enjoy a complimentary snack as a little treat to celebrate their contribution and replenish fluids.
Plus, donated blood often stays in your region, directly helping friends, family and neighbors. For example, Memorial Blood Centers in Duluth is the sole supplier for Aspirus St. Luke’s, ensuring donations support the community where they were collected.
“A single car accident survivor can need as many as 100 units of blood,” explained Bianchi-Rossi. “By donating, you’re making sure the people you love have what they need if they ever face a situation like that.”
Across the Aspirus Health system, hundreds of blood units are collected each year, with each donation helping save up to three lives. However, the demand is constant, as blood doesn’t have a very long shelf life. Red blood cells last only 42 days and platelets just five. That’s why every donation counts and why your contribution can have an extraordinary impact.
There are a lot of things you could do with an hour of your time. However, most of them will never come near the significance of giving blood. “It’s a life-saving therapy for patients,” said Alaspa. “And it’s something we rely on every single day.”
Find a Blood Center Near You
For more information about giving blood, visit redcrossblood.org.
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