National Blood Donor Month kicked off in January with weekend blood drives at many community shopping centers.

The Blood Center is also introducing a limited edition “Throw Me Something” three quarter length raglan shirt for blood donors.

January is National Blood Donor Month, a tradition that began in 1970 to raise awareness that blood is often in short supply during the winter months. The challenge begins with December’s holiday activities, vacations and family travel.

The arrival of winter can bring bad weather and seasonal illness as well as carnival festivities making blood collections more difficult.

Join The Blood Center at Clearview, Edgewater, Northshore Square or Southland Mall this weekend and Lakeside Shopping Center next weekend.

The Blood Center, a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer Board of Trustees, is the primary supplier of blood and blood components to more than 30 area hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. The Blood Center operates 14 donor centers in the Gulf South.

Every type is the right type, and while 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, less than 5 percent does it.

To maintain a healthy and stable community blood supply, The Blood Center must collect between 300 to 350 pints of blood every day.

Fast facts:

•  Just one pint of blood can help save up to three lives

• Donating blood is safe, simple, and easy

• The donation process takes less than an hour

• Someone needs blood every three seconds

Blood is traditionally in short supply during the holidays, yet the demand for blood and blood components is constant. For more information on blood donation, please call (800) 86-BLOOD or visit TheBloodCenter.org. Find The Blood Center on social media at @TheBloodCenter.