By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

January is National Blood Donor Month and donors are encouraged during this slow donation time after the holidays.

According to the American Red Cross, busy holiday schedules led to about 1,700 fewer blood drives across the country as compared to the two previous months, which resulted in about 50,000 fewer donations and reduced the blood supply.

For more information about donating, to make an appointment or to find out where local blood drives will be, visit redcrossblood.org.