According to the American Red Cross, “every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.”
An advantage to my recent life change is having more time and freedom to choose how I give back to our community. Recently, I took part of my day to donate blood and to give back to someone in need. It’s such a simple way that we can have a vital impact in the lives of others. For me, it was a life decision I made about 15 years ago.
The men in my family have a consistent issue with needles. My brothers, Mark and David, have many stories of lightheadedness, passing out and cold sweats just from the thought of a needle. I used to be the same way. I remember receiving a flu shot and almost losing consciousness in a Safeway store afterwards. I remember standing at the medical office counter paying the bill for my tetanus injection and my wife having to keep me from dropping to the floor. It was such an irrational fear, but it is amazing what happens when your brain takes over and fear wins out.
I think about the people who have benefited from those donations and the importance of all who choose to take the time to give back to others through blood and organ donations.
I think about the people who have benefited from those donations and the importance of all who choose to take the time to give back to others through blood and organ donations.
I decided that, as I age, there will be times when shots, IV’s and other injections will be medically essential and that I need to do something to overcome my dread of the needle. I started donating blood, and to date I have donated more than 14 quarts over the past 15 years. I think about the people who have benefited from those donations and the importance of all who choose to take the time to give back to others through blood and organ donations.
There are a million ways that all of us can impact our community. You can pick up a package of diapers during your weekly grocery trip to donate to a children’s charity. Like my wife, you can train your dog to be a therapy dog and make visits to senior centers to make an elderly person smile. At no cost to you, using Amazonsmile.com, or linking your Fry’s shoppers card to your favorite charity, funds from your purchases will provide help and hope to so many. This is an opportunity everyone has, to do something to help make our community healthier and stronger.
Vitalant’s website states that “when you give blood, you have the potential to help hospital patients within your community. Every day in the U.S. patients in hospitals, surgical centers and emergency treatment facilities need approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells.” Blood donations are a great way of Giving Back to help, and for me, it’s a way to continue to overcome my fears and keep Moving Forward.
Visit www.vitalant.org or www.redcross.org/give-blood.html today to learn where you can make a big difference in the lives of others by giving blood.