Mondays Matter: Week 38

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

DONATE BLOOD

-Every 2 seconds someone needs blood.

-38,000 pints of blood are used every day.

-Demand for blood is rising faster than the rate of donations. In fact, donations are declining.

-1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives - maybe even the life of somone you know.

-60% of the population is eligible to donate, but less than 5% do on a yearly basis.

-Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood once every 56 days.

ACTION STEPS

1. Find a blood donor location near you and schedule an appointment today.

2. Donate blood. The blood donation process takes approximately 30 minutes.

3. When you donate, you'll receive a donor card stating your blood type. Keep the card in your wallet.

4. Put yourself on a regular donating schedule of once every 56 days. If you have type O-negative blood, the universal donor type, your blood is especially needed because it can be used in emergencies.

It is ironic that this is our topic this week. On Wednesdsay, my husband will be donating blood for the very first time. We have a blood drive coming to our small town and he was asked to sign up and he did. My mom is a regular blood donor and I am pretty sure she donates every 56 days. She has gotten numerous "gallon pins" to signify all of her donations of blood. I used to donate plasma twice a week but have never donated blood. Over 5 years ago I had to have several blood transfusions, so I am not sure about the rules relating to receiving blood transfusions and donating blood. We are going to find out this week if I can donate blood. But, I am very thankful to whomever donated their blood for me. Mine was an emergency situation and I needed that blood or I would have died. So, I know how important blood donation is.

Human blood is precious and can't be manufactured outside of the body. If you gave blood 4 times a year for the next 10 years, you would save 120 lives. Think of how many lives you could save if you gave blood for the rest of your life! I can't imagine the amount of lives my mom has saved! What a simple and wonderful gift you can give to someone!