January is Blood Donor Month.

The American Red Cross is encouraging area residents to go out and give blood. Carl Baker, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Mid-Illinois Chapter explains this time of year with sickness and tough weather, blood is in high demand. He says a pint of blood can save three lives.

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To donate blood, there are some things to keep in mind. If you have been sick or are recovering from illness, that automatically disqualifies you from being able to donate. Baker says some of the minimum requirements include being 16-years old and 110 pounds and of course be in good health.

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There can be many reasons for blood shortages, which the Red Cross says there is currently. Baker says a good example of why there is a blood shortage was the recent superstorm on the East Coast. He explains Superstorm Sandy made it impossible to draw blood in that region for a short time, so the Red Cross was having to make up the blood not taken in other areas.

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The Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross does a blood drive every Tuesday from 2-6 pm and Thursday from noon-6 pm at their Decatur location at 2674 North Main. It is recommended to wait 56 days before giving blood for another time.

To find a blood drive near you, visit redcross.org.