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 What are your plans for this summer? While you’re thinking about that trip to the beach or the mountains, or how to keep the kids amused while they’re out of school, have you thought about making an appointment to give blood?
The summer months are a tough time of year to collect enough blood for patients to help them battle an illness or injury. People are on vacation or wrapped up in outdoor activities after being cooped up all winter. High school and college students are out of class for the summer. Many businesses and industries which host blood drives have fewer staff available to give blood. Yet the need for blood is constant, no matter what the time of year. From the tiny newborn infant to the senior citizen, many people will need blood during their lifetime. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Blood donations can help someone having surgery, someone seriously injured in an accident, cancer patients and burn victims. People with blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and leukemia may require blood during their treatment. And there are countless other reasons why someone may need a blood transfusion. People give blood for all sorts of reasons. Some give because they know someone who has needed blood. Some give because they are aware of the continual need for blood and want to make a difference. Some give because they know that such a small percentage of those who can give actually do; and some see giving blood as a simple way to give back just because they can. You can give up about an hour of your time and help save lives with your blood donation. To give blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well, and be in good health. Some states allow 16-year-olds to give blood with parental consent. If you’ve given blood before, it must be 56 days since your last whole blood donation. For more information, click here. (Images provided by the Red Cross.)
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