Governor Janet Mills has once again proclaimed March as Red Cross Month, a time to honor the work done by the organization and its volunteers.

“Thanks to the American Red Cross’s statewide community of volunteers and partners, people in Maine facing a disaster can meet their basic emergency needs,” Mills said in the proclamation. “Including having access to safe shelter, food, and critical health and mental health services, for free, day or night."

The national tradition first began in March of 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first proclamation recognizing Red Cross Month.

According to the Jennifer Costa, regional communications director for the Red Cross of Northern New England, it's a good time to remind Mainers of the importance of donating blood.

“Here in Maine, we actually need to collect 130 donations on average every day to meet patient demand,” said Costa. “So that’s a little bit more than 900 different Mainers every week who need to make an appointment to give blood.”

Costa said someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds.

The Red Cross will also be offering free A1C testing with each successful blood, platelet and plasma donation throughout March.

A1C testing is a common blood test for diagnosing diabetes and pre-diabetes. 

“One third of people in this country lack access to primary care, and yet diabetes affects one in ten people in the U.S., but nearly one quarter of those living with the disease have been undiagnosed, according to the CDC,” said Costa. “So, the Red Cross values the health and well-being of our donors.”

Costa stresses that this test does not require donors to fast beforehand.

“We do not want to see donors showing up with empty stomachs,” said Costa. “You want to make sure before you donate, you’re well-hydrated, you’ve had a protein and iron rich meal, and you are feeling healthy and well to donate. So, please, no fasting.”

Costa said, while the Red Cross is no longer in a blood shortage, they are still in constant need of blood and platelet donations.

“The Red Cross supplies 40% of the nation's blood, and it is vulnerable. It’s vulnerable to things like natural disasters,” Costa said. “What we’ve just seen recently, disruptions like the LA wildfires, or parts of the country experiencing winter weather that are unaccustomed to it. And that can cause disruptions in collections, cancellations and blood drives.”

Costa continued:  "So, what we are doing is we are asking donors in unaffected area like here in Maine to make and keep their appointments because patients are depending on those vital and lifesaving donations to keep coming in despite what may be happening in the country around them.”

In Maine, the Red Cross has more than 600 active volunteers. Last year, Costa said they responded to more than 250 home fires and installed more than 1,000 smoke detectors.

To find a Red Cross near you and learn how you can help, visit redcross.org.

“That blood can only come from generous volunteer donors,” said Costa. “It can’t be manufactured; it cannot be stockpiled.”