Give Blood. Give Life.

We work together every day to help protect those who protect the nation and ensure a mission-ready, safe, and resilient DHS workforce. But today, we want to accomplish something even more meaningful. The U.S. is currently experiencing a severe shortage of blood and blood products. This represents a long, downward trend in blood donations and exacerbations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. You are encouraged to consider donating blood to help those in need.

Our nation’s blood supply is critically low—with many centers reporting less than a day’s supply of blood on hand. Cancer patients, trauma patients, patients undergoing surgery and patients with conditions that require blood transfusions, such as sickle cell disease, need life saving blood and blood products.

DHS HQ employees are encouraged to make a blood donation between now and March 27 to help patients in need.

With advance supervisory approval, federal employees who donate blood can be granted up to four hours of administrative leave on the day of donation. Visit the Office of Personnel Management’s page for more information and policies on administrative leave.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/administrative-leave/

For more information about donating blood or additional DHS HQ employee resources, please contact Craig Kenner, DHS HQ Worklife Program Specialist, at [email protected].

Make and keep an appointment to give blood with the American Red Cross today.