We
are
so busy in our lives, we got so much to worry about already, that we do not
have any time to think about anything else. I want to take some time to tell
you a little bit about blood donation.
DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE POWER TO
SAVE A LIFE?
NO? YOU DO, IT IS IN YOUR BLOOD!
NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WOULD YOU DO IT?
Here are some facts
and cool things about blood donation. Maybe after knowing more about it, you
will take the first step into your first
S Blood is used daily for
all types of operations, accident victims, acute burn victims, cancer patients
(ex. Leukemia), and for those with catastrophic diseases such as hemophilia.
S There is no substitute
for human blood. Blood cannot be manufactured or harvested.
S Blood shortages occur
more often during the summer and holidays. During these periods, usage
increases and at the same time donations decrease.
S One pint of blood can be
separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, and can save up to three
lives.
S One out of three people
will need donated blood in their lifetime.
S Sixty percent of the
population is eligible to donate blood, yet only 5% of eligible donors do (3%
of the entire population).
S Every 8 minutes someone
in our community needs a blood transfusion.
S Every 2 ½ seconds
someone in our country needs blood.
S 4.5 million Americans
would die each year without lifesaving blood transfusions.
S The shelf life of human
blood is 42 days, and platelets only 5 days, so constant replenishment is
imperative.
S Whole blood can be
donated every 56 days, platelets every 2 weeks, and plasma every 4 weeks.
S The average adult body
has between 10 and 12 pints of blood. After 1 pint is donated, the body
replaces the fluid portion within 24 hours, the platelets within 2 days, and
the red blood cells within 56 days.
S Anyone in good health,
at least 17 years of age, and weighing at least 110 pounds may donate blood
every 56 days.
S “1 pint can save up to 3 lives. Just
imagine all the reward points you’ll be able to redeem someday with the
man upstairs.”
S "Giving blood will not decrease your
strength. Not giving a thought to someone who needs blood, well, that’s
just plain weak.”
S “The average adult has 10-12 pints of
blood. Too bad the average adult has about as many lame excuses not to donate
some of it.”
S “Since a pint is a pound, you lose a
pound every time you donate. Screw the Atkins Diet and get your butt over to
the donation center.”
(For the Blood donation campaign for Little Company of Mary)
S Every three seconds
someone needs blood in the United States.
S 37% of the US
population is eligible to donate - only 5% do on a yearly basis.
S One out of every three
people entering a hospital needs blood.
S Approximately 35,000
units of blood are used each day in the United States.
S Just one pint of
donated blood can help save up to three lives.
S The average adult has
10 pints of blood in his or her body.
S There are four main
blood types; A, B, AB, and O.
S 
Out of 100 people, about:
38 will be O positive
7 will be O negative
34 will be A positive
6 will be A negative
8 will be B positive
2 will be B negative
4 will be AB positive
1 will be AB negative
S Who
Can Receive Whose Red Blood Cells:
O negative can use O negative only
O positive can use O positive or O negative
A
negative can use A negative or O negative
A positive can use A positive, A negative, O positive or O negative
B negative can use B negative or O negative
B
positive can use B positive, B negative, O positive or O negative
AB negative can use AB negative, A negative, B negative or O negative
AB positive can use All Blood Types
S Almost 40% of the population has
O+ blood
S Patients with Type O blood
must receive Type O blood
S About half of all blood
ordered by hospitals in our area is Type O
S Type O blood is the universal blood
type and is the only blood type that can be transfused to patients with other
blood types
S Only about 7% of all people have
Type O negative blood
S Type O negative blood is the
preferred type for accident victims and babies needing exchange transfusions
S There is always a need for Type O donors
because their blood may be transfused to a person of any blood type in an
emergency
Do you know your blood
type?
Going around, I asked many people if they have ever had
donated blood, their answer was no. I asked why and I found out that many of these
people do not donate because they are not very well informed about the donation
process and they are scared, they think they can get sick from it.
The truth is that if you are prepared, you eat well,
drink enough fluids and rest, you will not feel sick and important to
say…you cannot get infected with any disease by donating blood!
It took me sometime to realize how important my blood is
for and how I can make a difference
in someone’s life. I have been visiting the donation center, I have been
rejected because there is not enough iron in my blood, but I always go back and
try again. I have had donated blood successfully three times since July this
year (2009). It feels great knowing that you are helping make someone’s
life better.
To
know more about blood donation and requirements go to http://bbr.org/ There
you will find all the information
needed, stories about donors, there is a special story about a lady, who is 97
yrs old and has donated 22 gallons of blood, about 181 donations... she keeps
donating! How awesome is that?!
So, spread the news. You can save a life!
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES
AROUND!