Elizabeth Langerud finishes off Jack Carney´s 109th blood donation with a Band-Aid on Friday at a Vitalant blood drive at Elks Lodge in Cranberry Township.

CRANBERRY TWP — Jack Carney said he doesn't remember why he started donating, but he knows why he continues.

The Cranberry Township man donated blood for the 109th time when he visited Elks Lodge Friday to participate in Vitalant Pittsburgh's first blood drive of the year.

“I have it to give, and I can spare it,” he said. “Somebody needs it. Why not?”

Blood banks are working harder than ever to collect during one of the more difficult months of the year.

With January being National Blood Donor Month, the constant need for blood is more present in the community's minds. But between bad weather and flu and cold season, January poses a number of challenges for blood banks.

“There is a constant need for blood — in fact, nearly 450 blood donations are needed each day in Western Pennsylvania alone to meet the needs of people throughout the country,” said Dave Green, Vitalant president and CEO. “National Blood Donor Month is a critical time for people to donate, and we hope that people of all ages will start the New Year by realizing their life-transforming potential of giving blood.

“These vital donations truly transform lives in communities across the United States.”

This is an excerpt — read more the full article in Sunday's Butler Eagle.