Give the Gift of Life
13/06/24 10:16
June 12, 2024 (Vol. 18 No. 26) - The lifeblood of America is, literally, dependent upon the kindness of strangers. Most of the blood used in hospitals and clinics for emergency and elective procedures is donated by folks like you and me. We are talking about accident and burn victims, heart surgery and transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. While there are a number of worthy community-based blood donation services across the nation, the organization for which I have volunteered over the years, the American Red Cross, collects, processes and distributes about 40 percent of the nation's blood supply. As a communications volunteer, I have engaged in publicity efforts to encourage people to give what the Red Cross calls "the gift of life." According to the organization, it needs to collect about 13,000 blood donation each and every day to meet America's blood needs. And because of the perishable nature of blood, the need for donations is constant. I know all the facts. I used to donate my own blood until medical restrictions changed my eligibility. However, to be honest, this was all an intellectual exercise for me - a sort of "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" issue. At least it was until last week when what appeared to be a simple nosebleed turning into a two-day hospitalization. It turned out that I have developed a non-cancerous condition that dramatically diminishes my supply of blood platelets. (I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you that's not a good thing.) Once the doctors diagnosed my problem, I got a quick transfusion of platelets. I'm better now. It will be some time before I know whether this is a short-term or long-term issue for me. But it has not escaped me that I am alive today because of generous gift of a total stranger. And that's how the system works: You pass it on to someone else never knowing whether that "favor" may be returned. In essence, that's the very definition of living in a community. I am grateful for the unknown hero who came to my aid last week. That's why I am encouraging you to consider giving the gift of life yourself - whether through the American Red Cross or some other worthy blood donation organization. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help the American Red Cross meet the nation's ever-present need for blood donations, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross. Whether you donate through to the Red Cross or some other agency, please give blood. You never know when you might need it. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.