 Welcome to All Hands Update, I'm Petty Officer Jen Blake. January is National Blood Donor Month and the campaign encourages service members and civilians to donate throughout the year. Blood is usually in short supply this time of year due to a lack of donations during the winter season. If you are eligible to give, you can do so through the Armed Services Blood Program. The program works closely with the American Red Cross, American Blood Centers, and other civilian agencies to receive blood donations. Blood is always needed for emergency situations and to provide support to hospitalized patients. You can do your part by donating to a blood drive near you. Visit the Armed Services Blood Program website for more information and to see if you are eligible to donate. To read a personal story about how blood donations saved one sailor's life, visit All Hands Magazine.