| Tuesday, March 01, 2005 |
| Public Service Announcement |
This is a PSA for The American Red Cross. I glanced at my calendar this morning and realized I have an appointment to donate blood this afternoon. It's something I do religiously every 8 weeks, and have done for more than 20 years. And if you can, you should too.
Every 2 seconds, there is a need for transfusable blood or blood components in the U.S. During war time - that need increases. America's blood supply is safer than ever before, but as a result, the percentage of the population able to donate safely given the increasingly stringent guidelines is getting smaller and smaller.
I ran the local Red Cross blood donation center in college. Back then, it was a couple of recliner chairs, some tubing, bags, glass vials and an RN. You came in, signed up, and as long as your blood pressure was OK, answered about 20 health history questions, and you weren't running a fever - we took a donation. We used to go out and get whole fraternities to line up and donate, and then they would go out and enjoy a cheap buzz by "replenishing" their blood volume with beer. Thankfully, that's changed.
Today - that process involves a cadre of professional phlebotomists, pre-testing, and anywhere from 2-4 separate interview processes before you can donate.
Approximately 8 million people donated 15 million pints of blood in the US last year. We need more. Strides are being made every day towards a safe, never ending supply of artificial blood, but right now, there is no good alternative to the real thing.
If you think you're able to donate, and it's something you just never stop to consider - please do. I'd be happy to answer questions, make an appointment for you, give you a ride...Whatever it takes.
Please consider giving. It takes an hour, and it absolutely DOES make a direct difference in saving lives.
UPDATE: If you don't know whether or not you are eligible to donate blood. Please go here for a comprehensive list and description of conditions that may restrict you from donating. As you can see, given the strict guidelines, only a very few people at any given time can be donors. |
posted by Broadsheet @ 10:24 AM   |
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| 2 Editorial Opinions: |
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Ermmm I don't think your phag phrends can donate, can we?
C
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Sadly, no - but you would get disqualified more for the fact that you live in the UK - in fact anyone who has lived outside the US for more than 6 months total since 1980 (fear of mad cow disease). These are the type of people who also tend to be more activist minded. The rules are VERY strict now. That's why it's important to get folks who might not have considered it before to step up and donate. I was barred for a year or two just because I've taken vacations to less than first world Caribbean destinations where malaria and other mosquito borne diseases are rampant.
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Ermmm I don't think your phag phrends can donate, can we?
C