"Together, we can save a life." We've probably all heard the newest motto of the American Red Cross, but how many of us have really taken the time to think about what it means. One of the simplest means of giving to another is that of giving blood for donation. In information taken from the Red Cross, it is reported that every day in the United States, 38,000 blood donations are needed and that frequently the blood supply is 2 days away from running out. This is especially true of the summer months, when blood donations drop. And only 30% of blood donors, donate more than once in their lives. These donors are the ones who keep the blood supply going.
I know that many people have had difficulty or negative experiences at one point with giving blood. The numerous regulations on blood donations also deter some individuals from giving blood. I myself have been frustrated at times due to their different regulations, but it is these very regulations that allow individuals to trust that the blood they are receiving from donors is clean and healthy and that donors themselves remain healthy. On my last donation attempt, I also described in a posting about how the phlebotomist lost pressure on my bag and the blood then was not usable. That experience definitely left me feeling frustrated, however when I think outside of myself I realize that a non-painful accident in giving is nothing compared to the need that there is for continued donations.
If I continue to give, I continue to allow for the life of others. Blood donations are used for treating "accident and burn victims, for treatment of cancer patients, for children with blood disorders, for individuals with sickle cell disease," for surgical procedures, for people with hemophilia, and the list continues. Currently only 5% of the eligible blood donor population in the United States gives blood-yet what a simple way to drastically save and impact the life of another. A blood donor can give again every 56 days, and donation generally takes about an hour. Who knows when one day you may rely upon the donation of another, so please take the time to think about and look into this absolutely simple way to give to another.
2 comments:
Iused to give blood regularly but now I can't as I was in the UK in the mid 90's when the first foot 'n mouth outbreak occured ~ which frustrates me!!
Have you ever tried donating platelets? I've done it a couple times now. It takes a little longer (~2 hours) and it's definitely a different kind of blood giving experience (they put the blood back in your arm, which feels funny), but you can give every 3 days instead of every 56 days. So if you're going into blood donating withdrawal, it might be a good alternative.
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