During a meeting of the Livermore City Council on January 11, Monday, the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region was honored.

While recognizing the National Blood Donor Month, a proclamation was presented by Mayor Marshall Kamena to the Red Cross. Livermore residents were urged to donate blood and the community members who donated for others who needed the blood were thanked too.

Due to a lack of blood donors, meeting the commitment of giving blood to local hospitals is not easy as January is typically a difficult month for the Red Cross in doing so. The main reasons for this difficulty are bad weather, illness and holiday fatigue.

January since 1970 has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month. The importance of donating blood has been stressed upon by the Red Cross to ensure that blood supply for saving lives is adequate.

The City Council was informed by Thomas Petty who belongs to Livermore that at Emma C. Smith Elementary School a blood drive will be carried out on January 27. Petty also accepted the proclamation and is a member of the Red Cross regional Board of Directors and community blood drive sponsor.