45min=saving a life

Time for me to get out my soap box.

Last week I went and donated blood for the 1st time since March 2009. Before then I would always donate every 56 days which is the time one must wait inbetween donations. Anyways donating blood is a simple thing that you can do to help your community and save a life. The blood that is donated is used in the ER, ICU, PICU, NICU, in surgeries and for cancer patients. Donating can take about 45min, now I'm pretty sure everyone has 45min of their time every 56 days to donate some red stuff and help someone out. Plus on your first visit you get a t-shirt and a sticker, who wouldn't want that?? And after every donation you get cookies, hello yes I just said cookies!! But really you save someone's life, you give them the ability to BREATH, FUNCTION, LIVE! Here is some info from our local blood bank:

Whole Blood Donation is the most common type of blood donation. During this process approximately one pint of whole blood is donated. Each unit of whole blood is separated into 3 main parts: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Therefore, with each whole blood donation, up to 3 lives can be saved!

Donating whole blood is safe and simple. The entire process, from registration to refreshments, takes approximately one hour. Strict procedures for every step of the process ensure the safety of the donor and of the blood supply. Whole blood donors can donate every 56 days or up to six times a year. You must wait 56 days between whole blood donations to allow plenty of time for your body to replenish red cells.

About 400 whole blood donations are needed each week in our community to maintain an adequate supply for area hospitals and doctor offices. Approximately 200 patients in St. Joseph County use blood and blood products each week. These donations help patients, heal and recover, and they save lives. Even more donations are needed during the summer months and around the holidays. During these times, the number of donations drop and the amount of blood being used increases.

Here's a story from RyRy you can read his whole journey here

Ryne’s Story
Posted: Aug 21, 2007

Ryne Ewald is seven years old (now 10) and lives here in South Bend with his mom, dad, older brother, Chad, and his stuffed monkey, Stinky. A few years ago, Ryne got sick and wasn’t getting any better. Ryne was diagnosed with lymphoma and needed 25 blood transfusions to help him fight the disease and recover. Red blood cells and platelets are often given to people suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. A family friend sent Ryne a balloon bouquet in the hospital to lift his spirits. A stuffed monkey was attached and soon became Ryne’s best support through all his treatment. Ryne’s stuffed monkey, Stinky, goes with him everywhere… Just like the 25 people that donated the blood that helped to save his life.

There you have it by donating you could help someone's child, mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin, neice, nephew, friend, neighbor and the list goes on. This month if you donate you receive a certificate for a turkey from Martin's Supermarket (local grocer) that doesn't expire until Jan. 15, 2011. Now, go and donate and help save a life.