January means the start of a new year, and hope for a fresh start. For people who need blood, that is especially true.

Miller-Keystone Blood Center is honoring those who regularly donate blood by declaring January to be National Blood Donor Month.

According to www.redcrossblood.org, January has been National Volunteer Blood Donor Month since 1970. The reason?The month of January presents more challenges for people to give blood more than any other month. Various reasons, such as illness, weather conditions and holiday schedules make it difficult for donors to donate. However the icy road conditions that accompany January make it the month that increases the need for blood.