January is National Blood Donor Month (NBDM), a month that is dedicated to honoring the generosity and selflessness of volunteer blood donors and to encouraging new donors to join the cause.

During NBDM, we recognize blood donors for their gifts that make an impact for countless patients – donors like Thomas Guerrero, “I’ve been donating since 2004. I began donating in basic training to help other soldiers overseas.”

Blood Donor Thomas Guerrero throws the first pitch at TX Rangers game

Thomas Guerrero is a retired U.S. Army Specialist who served his country in Iraq. Today, Guerrero serves his community as a police officer and also as a blood donor by giving blood ‘at every opportunity he can get,’ making him a multi-gallon donor. “After I left the military, I kept donating blood through Carter BloodCare to ensure I could still help as much as I could,” said Guerrero. “You’re saving lives and you’re helping other people. You may not know who it is, but someone out there is very thankful for you.”  No one would guess, but Guerrero confesses he doesn’t like needles. His advice is not to look at it. Wait until the phlebotomist has covered the needle with gauze. He also looks away when it’s time to remove the needle. Thank you, Thomas Guerrero.

One in seven patients admitted to a hospital will use blood. Blood cannot be manufactured and it does have a shelf life. The only way blood is made available for transfusion is through blood donors, like Thomas Guerrero.

Will you make the commitment to donate blood in 2021?  Call/text 800-366-2834 or click here to find one of our community donor centers near you.

If you are already a blood donor, do you wonder why more people are not doing it? Forty-five percent of people we asked said it was because they do not have time. Donors like Thomas Guerrero are working full time, raising families and much more. Guerrero says he makes the time and he feels good every time he does it, knowing that someone needed his donation.

Every blood donor has a story.  Share yours at TellUsYourStory@carterbloodcare.org . Tell us about why you donate blood or if you have received a blood transfusion. The more that you talk about donating blood, the more likely it is that someone you know will donate blood, too. It’s 2021. Let’s save lives together. Let’s give blood.