On Friday, January 16, the American Red Cross will host another blood drive in Newtown Congregational Church’s Great Room, 14 West Street. The drive begins at 8:30 am and will end at 5 pm.

Those who are interested in donating blood can sign up by visiting redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and using the code 5320. Donors can also streamline their donation experience by going to redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete pre-donation reading and health history questions.

The drive is part of National Blood Donor Month, which was officially established in 1970 to recognize and honor the millions of Americans who voluntarily donate blood to help save lives, according to the Association for Blood Donor Professionals (ADRP).

The ADRP states that January was chosen as the month to celebrate blood donors because winter is traditionally a time when blood donations decline due to weather conditions, holiday travel, and seasonal illnesses.

By focusing national attention on blood donation during this challenging time, organizers hoped to encourage more people to donate when the need was greatest.