Honolulu is taking the phrase "paint the town red" quite literally this week as several landmarks will be lighted red in honor of World Blood Donor Day on Monday, June 14.
Honolulu Hale, lighted red since June 10, will remain so through Monday, as will the Aloha Tower. Blood Bank of Hawai'i donors, staff and supporters are encouraged to wear the color red on Monday as well.
Anyone who donates blood on Monday will receive a complimentary Blood Bank of Hawai'i-branded face mask, or a tote bag courtesy of Bloomingdale's if donating at the Young Street Donor Center, Big Island Now reported.
“We’re celebrating World Blood Donor Day to increase awareness about blood and the importance of maintaining a safe blood supply for all of our medical needs,” Blood Bank of Hawaii’s Chief Executive Officer Kim-Anh Nguyen told Big Island Now. “While the past year brought many challenges, our community of donors upheld statewide demands and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Blood Bank of Hawai'i is also implementing a campaign called "Be a Sport, Donate Blood" through August in partnership with Special Olympics Hawai'i. Big Island Now reports that the initiative is in response to the seasonal blood donation decline during the summer, and that the partnership will work to increase blood donations while providing equipment and PPE to the Special Olympics.
One donation can save three lives, according to 50 Quick Blood Facts from the American Red Cross. Every day, more than 38,000 donations are needed, and studies show that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion, equating to approximately 30 million transfusions per year in the U.S. alone.
Type O negative blood is the most needed because it is universal and can be transfused with other blood types, according to the factsheet.
The Blood Bank of Hawai'i can take donations by appointment only and registration can be found at bbh.org or by calling 808-848-4770.