Following the tragedy of Sept. 11, Long Islanders flooded local blood centers and hospitals to donate blood to the victims of the attacks. While this outpouring of volunteerism was a blessing, recruiting blood donors is a yearlong effort for blood banks. To help inspire contributions, January has been designated as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month to encourage and honor individuals for their decision to "Give Blood ... The Gift of Life."

Sadly, less than 5 percent of eligible donors give blood each year. During summer vacations and winter holidays, that number is even lower. This seasonal decrease of the already low number of donations causes a shortage in the blood supply.

Even though some surplus blood donations were discarded after the outpouring of support after Sept. 11, the American Red Cross notes that "every blood donation yields some life-saving byproduct." One whole blood donation is made up of four different components to help treat several different patients. On any given day, approximately 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Every year, approximately four million patients are the recipients of the lifesaving blood products donated by eight million volunteers.

Many potential blood donors, turned away by blood banks after the historic surplus in the weeks after Sept. 11, have not returned to donate blood. Unfortunately, blood has a limited shelf life. Red blood cells last 42 days and platelets must be used within five days. Blood centers across the country again face a shortage in the blood supply. Many people wanted to share the gift of life with their fellow Americans in the days after the attacks, yet the need for blood and blood products continues to exist every day, even after the surplus is long gone.

Blood donation only takes an hour and the lives you save are invaluable. Please do your part to make this National Volunteer Blood Month a success and "Give Blood ... The Gift of Life." To learn more about donating blood in Nassau County or to make an appointment, contact the Nassau Chapter of the American Red Cross at 747-3500 or Long Island Blood Services at 1-800-933-2566. Thank you for making a difference.