National Blood Donor Month
In the United States, someone is in need of blood or platelets every two seconds for a myriad of reasons–cancer treatment, traumatic injuries, chronic illness and more. As giving a single blood donation can save more than one life, January serves as a time to thank those who do so.
Winter months see a decrease in donations as people deal with holiday festivities, poor weather and various illnesses. Blood donated must be used within 42 days or less and plasma within five, and a decrease in donations can lead to an increased risk in supply shortages.
As a way to bolster donations, as well as thank those who have already donated, January is designated to thank and uplift donors. On Dec. 31, 1969, former President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month.
A study done through the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies’ National Blood Foundation found that 75% of the 5,000 respondents give blood to help others. By supporting their communities, individuals find that donating also helps them feel better about themselves. This month aims to validate these feelings, as well as bring attention to the importance of blood donation.
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Former President Barack Obama first declared January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in 2010 and the tradition has continued since. By bringing attention to this issue, January is used as a time to recognize the strength of survivors and the efforts of those working to eliminate both physical and sexual exploitation.
The Department of the Interior partners with various federal agencies, community advocates and individuals to raise awareness of these crimes. It is estimated that over 27 million people are victims of human trafficking globally, with 1 million in the United States being affected by modern-day slavery.
Forced labor, or labor trafficking, serves as a form of modern slavery as it details numerous acts that involve a person using fraud, force or coercion to exploit the services or labor of another. This includes domestic servitude, where a trafficker requires a victim to work in a private residence, as well as child labor.
Human sex trafficking, similar to forced labor, includes the use of fraud, force or coercion to impel another to engage in a commercial sex act. Traffickers often implement debt manipulation, or debt bondage, as a means to bring victims as part of their scheme. It is estimated that anywhere from 15-50,000 women and children are victims of sex trafficking each year within the United States, but numbers may be higher.
The Polaris Project was founded in 2002 and has been working tirelessly to combat human trafficking of all ages and genders. Polaris uses the National Human Trafficking Hotline to serve victims and survivors, creates datasets in real-time to determine how human trafficking really works and uses their knowledge to form “targeted systems-level strategies” to prevent it.
If you or a loved one is in need, there are countless resources for victims and survivors. The National Human Trafficking Hotline has a 24/7 phone line available by calling 1-888-373-7888 or sending a text to 233733. The official webpage also has the option to chat online or send a tip through an anonymous online report form.
Poverty Awareness Month
Poverty Awareness Month was first recognized by Congress in 2009 as the poverty rate was rising rapidly–at 14.3% compared to the 11.1% reported in 2023. The goal of this month is to bring attention to those who are living in poverty and how communities can support them. By offering support and drawing attention to the issue, Americans can work to prevent it.
While do-good actions alone won’t end poverty, identifying the issue and supporting those in need can make a difference. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, communities of color and disabled communities were disproportionately impacted by the effects of poverty. In May 2021, 9 million Americans were unemployed and over 20 million faced food insecurity. While policymakers hold most of the control over poverty, there is still individual action that can be taken.
Communities may not be able to expand safety net programs or offer more comprehensive and accessible healthcare services, but they can help those in need in the immediate area. The Southeastern North Dakota Community Access Agency is an organization that seeks to create a community without poverty–one where everyone has an opportunity to thrive, not just survive. SENDCAA provides a range of services and activities to low-income individuals and families as a means to help them find a higher standard of living. These services range from a Child/Adult Care Food Program, career coaching, a Family Empowerment Program and a dependable child care center.
If you are interested in combating poverty in the Fargo-Moorhead area, there are a few different options. Organizations such as United Way of Cass-Clay, the Jeremiah Program, YWCA Cass-Clay and the Great Plains Food Bank all accept volunteers. Each organization has their own unique take on combating poverty in the region, so feel free to find what works for you and lend a hand!
Additional Mentions
International Holocaust Remembrance Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Self-Love Month; Cervical Health Awareness Month; Braille Literacy Month; National Stalking Awareness Month; National Birth Defect Awareness Month.