Blood drives set around Big Island

The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday, said officials of the Blood Bank of Hawaii, who scheduled blood drives in Hilo, Keaau, Kona and Waimea in January, which is National Blood Donor Month.

“Blood is needed all year long by Hawaii’s patients and only comes from volunteer blood donors,” said spokeswoman Michelle Burchfiel. “The Blood Bank of Hawaii recognizes these everyday heroes who selflessly give blood to save the lives of island neighbors they may never meet.

“We invite you to start the New Year off with an act of altruism by giving the ultimate gift — life,” she said.

Specific details on the drives are subject to change. Call 1-800-372-9966 or visit www.BBH.org to schedule an appointment or check on drive information.

The requirements to be a blood donor are simple:

• Be in good health.

• Be age 18 or older (17-year-olds may donate blood with signed Blood Bank of Hawaii parent/legal guardian consent form).

• Weigh 110 pounds or more.

• And bring a valid photo ID with your date of birth.

Here is the planned blood drive schedule for next month:

• Kailua-Kona: Monday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kona Stake, 75-230 Kalani St.; Wednesday, Jan. 8, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., also at the LDS Kona Stake.

• Waimea: Tuesday, Jan. 7, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Waimea Ward, 65-1168 Kapiolani Road.

• Hilo: Monday, Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hilo Hawaii Stake at 1373 Kilauea Ave.; Tuesday, Jan. 21, 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with volunteers from Hui Okinawa at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale, 799 Piilani St.; Wednesday, Jan. 22, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., with volunteers from the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy, at 200 W. Kawili St., in Campus Center Room 301.

• Keaau: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at the Kamehameha Schools Library, 16-716 Volcano Road in Keaau.