Give the gift of life in the New Year
-- Jamie Christianson
With the holidays freshly tucked behind and the arrival of a brand new year upon us, it’s a given that our thoughts are routinely inundated, to say the least. Inundated with firm determinations for 2009, finding a financial equilibrium after ALL-of-that-shopping, the awaiting of a new president and a new administration … for many of us, it’s easy for the smaller issues to ease their way through our fingertips. But sometimes the things we deem small are actually quite big in the scheme of things.
Did you know that January is traditionally designated as National Blood Donor Month? Historically, January is the most neglected month of the year for blood donation collections, hence severely shorting the nation’s blood inventory. Why should I donate blood, you ask? The answer is easy: you can save someone’s life.
More than 4.5 million hospital patients need blood transfusions every year within the United States and Canada.Every day, roughly 39,000 blood units are required in hospitals for patients ridden with cancer and diseases, recipients of organ transplants, premature babies and accident victims. In layman’s terms, that’s a staggering one in seven hospital patients that are in need of blood—a need that resurfaces every two seconds. And it’s only one pint of blood that has the magnitude of saving up to three lives.
Concerned that one pint is too much? Think no further: the average adult body holds up to 10 pints of blood. If you’re worried that donating would require too much of your time, keep in mind that the actual blood donation takes a mere 10 minutes—the process in entirety (from the time of checking in, to leaving) only takes about an hour. The donation process contains four easy stages altogether: a glimpse of your medical history, a speedy mini-physical, the blood donation, and juice with a snack—provided by the medical staff.
The actual donation is quite painless, quick, and contrary to popular belief does not decrease your health and strength—you’ll feel fine afterwards. After donating, fluids are replaced within hours and red blood cells are restored within a month. Eight weeks are needed to restore the iron absent after donation. Eligible blood donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Medical staff encourages all to eat and drink plenty of water prior to donating.
If you can’t afford to donate a large amount of money to a charity—especially after the holiday season clean-up—keep in mind that blood donations are not only free, but give someone the extraordinary capability to survive through your contribution. For further information, please visit http://www.theredcross.org.