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. These blood donation heroes feel strongly about helping others. According to Oneblood.org: “One in three of us will need a blood transfusion. A single car accident victim can require at least 100 pints of blood. And blood cannot be manufactured.”
I would like to offer a few reasons why blood donation heroes continue to be needed:
First, demand for blood cells is increasing. Surgeries that require more transfusions, like organ transplants, are becoming more common. Demand for blood in chemotherapy treatment is also increasing. Both transplants and chemotherapy make it harder for patients to develop their own healthy blood cells, so these patients require frequent transfusions.
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Second, more children need blood. Of the 73 million children in the United States, hundreds suffer from various forms of leukemia, sickle cell, need transplants, and are born prematurely. More than 3,000 new cases of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are diagnosed in children under age 15 each year.
Third, donating blood saves lives. A single donation of blood can be split into as many as three parts--used for three patients and the opportunity to help three lives.
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Fourth, donating blood may save your own life. Dr. Jukka T. Salonen of the University of Kuopio in Finland found that "blood donations may be associated with a decreased risk of heart attack in middle-aged men." The University of Kansas has expressed similar views in studies. The Kansas University Medical Center found that men who gave blood experienced 30 percent fewer incidents of heart disease, bypass surgery, and stroke than donors who did not.
Share the gift of life this holiday season. Contact OneBlood.org for donation information and locations. Blood donation heroes give a gift that last a lifetime.
