Justin Kreuter, M.D., Featured on Mayo Clinic Radio to Discuss the Continuous Need for Blood Donors

By Kelley Luedke • January 11, 2019

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On the January 5 broadcast of Mayo Clinic Radio, Justin Kreuter, M.D., Medical Director of Mayo’s Blood Donor Program, discussed the continuous need for blood donors. National Blood Donor Month takes place each January to signify the importance of blood donation.

According to the American Red Cross, winter is one of the most difficult times of the year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs due to busy schedules, bad weather, and seasonal illnesses.

"People get sick with colds and flus that are going around, and people are wanting to visit their relatives. When snow storms hit, people can't make it to the blood donor centers to actually give that blood," said Dr. Kreuter. "The amount of blood we need varies by season. We see peaks and valleys throughout the year." He also commented that tragedies can impact the need for blood.

Dr. Kreuter also discussed the importance of younger blood donors in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. He said, "There's a lot of people who haven't even tried to donate blood, and a lot of people just assume they are ineligible." Dr. Kreuter mentioned that donors should call their local blood donor centers to inquire about eligibility.

For more information about donating blood in Olmsted County in Rochester, Minnesota, call (507) 284-4475 or email donateblood@mayo.edu. For more information about the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center, visit the Blood Donor Center blog, the Blood Donor Center website, and/or like the center on Facebook.

Listen to the Podcast
To listen to the interview, the radio segment featuring Dr. Kreuter begins at 21:00 and runs through 29:55. If you have time, the full show begins with Shreyasee Amin, M.D., a rheumatologist at Mayo Clinic, who covers osteoarthritis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. And Thomas Rieck, an exercise specialist at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, offers tips to help you get exercising in the new year.

Kelley Luedke

Kelley Luedke is a Marketing Channel Manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. She is the principle editor and writer of Insights and leads social media and direct marketing strategy. Kelley has worked at Mayo Clinic since 2013. Outside of work, you can find Kelley running, traveling, playing with her kitty, and exploring new foods.