I made my regular bimonthly blood donation yesterday at a Red Cross blood drive. I was pleased to be seated next to a first time blood donor. This young woman had just turned 17, the minimum age to donate. I asked her why she wanted to donate, and she replied that she'd wanted to help during the immediate aftermath of hurricane Katrina but was too young to donate blood at the time. I commended her on her willingness to donate now. Since blood cannot be stored for long periods of time, the blood supply must constantly replenished. I am so impressed that that young woman was willing to donate, and I hope she'll do so again and again. Good job!
Won't you consider donating blood? 60% of Americans can donate but only 5% do. It only takes about an hour, and each pint of blood (the amount of one donation) can save up to three lives. Who knew it was that easy to be a hero? Donate blood today and donate life. You never know whose lives you will save.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
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8 comments:
Issues like these are regularly discussed in numerous health policy and ethics weblogs. Vote for your favorite one today.
Happy New Year Karama,
I think it`s a wonderful thing you`re doing! People do not really appreciate the importance of blood donation and donors until they find themselves or someone they know in a tight spot.
If one receives blood frequently due to a physical condition, antibodies develop in the immune system and eventually matching becomes much harder. When this occurs finding a compatible donor is invaluable.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Gnoffie Medna
Thanks for the information, Gnoffie! When I donate and write about donation, I often think of folks with sickle cell anemia, thalessemia and other conditions. It's not just people who've had car accidents that need transfusions. Consider babies with anemia, children with clotting problems, people undergoing surgery.
Donating blood is a great way to help lots of people. Just call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or 1-800-USBLOOD or visit www.givelife.org or www.americasblood.org to find a blood drive near you or make an appointment to give.
Thanks for stopping by, Gnoffie. I hope you'll visit again soon, and spread the word! Happy 2006 to you too!
I have only managed to donate blood once, I was so stoked to be able to do it because I'm type 0-. I remember sitting patiently in the chair, I'd been careful to ask if they had any child sized needles as I'm allergic to needles and have less of a reaction with the smaller sizes. I smiled and chatted to the gentleman beside me. Once it was over I slowly climbed off the funny seat thing and proceeded to walk across to the coffee machine, I didn't get very far before collapsing. I sat on the floor for a bit looking around rather confused, I hadn't passed out, I'd just seemed to have lost control of my body. It turns out that I have an insulin problem caused by my hormone imbalance. I've been advised that it's unwise for me to give blood again. It's rather sad.
Thanks for your efforts, KO! As I've mentioned, not everyone is able to donate blood. It's good that you tried though, especially since you're O negative (the 'universal' donor). I hope you'll consider some of the other ways to support blood collection efforts in your community. Also, if you health status changes, you may be able to donate at another time.
Thanks for reading So what can I do and thanks for your comment. I hope you'll stop by again soon, and spread the word.
KO's story reminds us of why it's important that those of us who can donate, do donate.
It's time for the 2006 Bloggies, annual awards for the best of the blogosphere. So what can I do? has been nominated for "Best-Kept-Secret Weblog".
Numerous nominations are needed to be a finalist, and you must nominate at least 3 blogs on your form. Here are some of my favorites:
* So what can I do? (http://sowhatcanido.blogspot.com) - Best kept secret.
* Arkansas Daily Blog (http://www.arktimes.com/)
* Tayari Jones (http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/)
* AJOB Blog (http://blog.bioethics.net)
* Women's Bioethics Project Blog (http://womensbioethics.blogspot.com)
* Negrophile (http://www.negrophile.com/)
Choose three or more of your favorites and submit your nominations by January 10. May the best blogs win!
Take the pledge and promise to at least try to donate blood at least once this year! Sign up today!
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