This month's cover photo shows Rich Patterson donating blood for the 100th time at ImpactLife in Cedar Rapids, Iowa-a milestone 40 years in the making. Patterson, 72, first donated blood as a high school student in New Jersey, gave occasionally in the years thereafter, and became a regular donor following a move to Iowa. His path toward 100 donations at ImpactLife started in 1978; since then, he's given blood four to six times annually, only taking a few years off while undergoing cancer treatment. "It's an easy way to help people that takes little time yet yields much satisfaction," he told AJN.
The United States is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage. According to the American Red Cross, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to fewer blood donations and blood drive events. As a result, the organization-which provides 40% of the U.S. blood supply-has been unable to adequately distribute blood products to some hospitals. To learn more about donating blood, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org. Additionally, see the Viewpoint in this issue, "Modifying Outdated Blood Donation Restrictions on Men Who Have Sex with Men," in which authors Roque Anthony F. Velasco, Amanda J. Golino, and Justin Fontenot assert that the Food and Drug Administration's donor eligibility restrictions on gay men "perpetuate stigma and further limit the already inadequate U.S. blood supply."-Diane Szulecki, editor