Fun Facts

Give a Little, Save a Lot: Celebrating National Blood Donation Day On September 4 ~ Fun Facts

Make Saving Lives more than just a “type O” Good Deed

(Hint: It’s more powerful than dessert—and absolutely kid-friendly.)


You might be waiting for that “Eat Another Treat” post… but today, we’re talking about something even more impactful than cake. September 4 is National Blood Donation Day, the high point of National Blood Donation Week, a moment each year when communities unite to help keep blood banks stocked and lives saved America’s Blood Centers+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5. It also bridges to the global observance of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, uniting us with millions honoring the incredible gift of life donations provide Wikipedia+15World Health Organization+15American Red Cross+15.

As stepparents who do more before breakfast than most do all day, here’s what we can do with this day:

Make It a Family Field Trip

Turn a chore into a connection—take the kids to the blood drive, and make it a lesson in giving. Some drives run evenings or weekends; it’s practical and meaningful.

Chuckles for the ride:

“Why do nurses love typos? Because we’re always looking for Type O donors!”

Lead by Example

Don’t just talk about giving—show what it looks like. If you’re eligible, donate. Let your older children see the courage it takes and the good that follows.

Light-hearted line:

“I told the nurse I’m ‘A Positive’… and yes, I already am!”

Spark Conversation

Kids sense something real when parents act—and talk. Use this as a springboard to explain the importance of helping others and how a small act can carry big hope.

Fun pun for the moment:

“Tried donating blood today… the staff’s got one question: ‘Whose blood is it?’”

Did You Know?

  • September 4 is observed nationwide as Blood Donation Day, framed within the bigger theme of National Blood Donation Week Wikipedia+2America’s Blood Centers+2.

  • We need 36,000 blood units daily in the U.S.—that’s more waffles than most kitchens can handle on a Sunday morning!

  • O-negative is the universal blood type—the real MVP in times of need.

Parenting Power Move

We juggle orchestrating dinners, schedules, and sibling diplomacy—so we can handle this, too. Donating blood (or supporting the effort) models empathy, responsibility, and selflessness without the drama.

Parenting quip:

“Skipping donating blood? Please—that’s missing out on giving hope… and a bit of red.”

Real-Life Hero: The “Man with the Golden Arm”

Meet James Harrison, the Australian plasma donor who gave more than 1,100 times over six decades. His rare anti-D antibodies protected millions of babies from a deadly disease—and his legacy is bigger than most people’s summer road trips Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+4KATV+4Wikipedia+4instagram.com+9apnews.com+9washingtonpost.com+9.

Final Thought

This September 4, amid homework shuffle and snack routines, pause to serve—if only for a moment. A little laugh, a little love—and maybe a dash of red—can stretch into hope someone will lean on tomorrow.

About the author

About the author

In 1995, Gerardo became a stepdad to two children, a boy and a girl, ages 10 and 14. In 2011, he started the website Support for Stepfathers to reverse the nearly 70% divorce rate for blended families in the United States. His website is to help and inspire stepfathers, aspiring stepfathers, and the women who love them worldwide. You can follow Support for Stepdads on Twitter and Facebook.

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