In this world of cut-throat competition and everyone fending for their own, the words "we're out for blood" ring negativity throughout our ears. But there are circumstances in which references to blood ARE a good thing.
Did you know that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood? Your neighbor, family members, friends...YOU...may need blood at some point in life. It's through generous blood donors that those who survived car accidents, received life-saving cancer treatments, or underwent severe surgeries are alive today.
When a person donates blood, up to three lives can be saved. Many people don't realize this and many people don't care. But, when you see a child who is battling leukemia or a woman with breast cancer who wouldn't be alive without blood products...it can't help but inspire even the toughest cynics to donate blood.
One out of every 10 people admitted to a hospital eventually need blood. In fact, nearly five million people need blood transfusions every year. Hearing those statistics, it amazes me how few actually roll up their sleeves to donate blood.
My father is a two-time cancer survivor. While he was going through his radiation and chemotherapy treatments, I didn't know he was receiving platelets. Platelets are a component of the blood that help with clotting. But knowing now how the process works, I thank those platelet donors who helped saved my father's life.
Blood donation affects everyone, whether they realize it or not. You never know when a loved one is going to need blood. You never know when they may need platelets. But what you should know is that thanks to volunteer blood donors and organizations like The American Red Cross, blood products are available to hospitals, helping their patients in need.
To all of you blood donors - thank you! Without your kind gesture, my father may not be here today. To all of you who have not donated blood - make an appointment...visit redcrossblood.org.
What better gift is there than the gift of life? In just one hour, you can be a hero, helping to save lives with your donation!
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