If you guessed "gave blood", that would be correct. I've always been a consistent blood donor. You know, unless I'm pregnant or breastfeeding. Then, I have to lay off the blood donations cause I'm not eligible then. Anyway, since I'm now done with the pregnancies and breastfeeding, I'm back in the game and it feels good!
Do you donate blood? Here are a few facts about blood donations/needs that I got off of the American Red Cross website.
Facts about blood needs
1. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
2. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day
3. One out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood
4. Total blood transfusions in a given year: 14 million (2001)
5. The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints
6. The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O
7. The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs
8. Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98% of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives
9. More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
10. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. See more facts on blood needs for various medical treatments
Our local blood donation place is United Blood Services. You don't necessarily have to go to their office to donate. They do blood drives around a lot. Just look for them and or call and see when/where they will be.
If you're healthy and able to donate blood, I strongly urge you to. If you do already, then good for you and thanks for being a HERO!
No comments:
Post a Comment