Post by brimfin on Aug 11, 2019 0:15:44 GMT
When the mass shooting took place in El Paso, a call went out for blood donors. Many people lined up by the blood bank to give and people from other cities around the country offered to transport blood over there if needed. That was a wonderful thing, and it shows the goodness of people throughout this country.
But what people often forget is that blood is always needed, not just when there’s a shooting or some big accident. People get injured, have surgeries, or are in car wrecks every day and blood is often desperately needed. A person can give blood every 56 days (8 weeks). It only takes about an hour or so. Yes, they stick a needle in you to start the process. But as someone who personally never liked needles - if I can put up with it, so can you. It’s healthy for the donor as well. And it’s something you can give that can help other people, but doesn’t cost you anything. Sometimes you’ll even get a little something for doing it, like a T-shirt or even a movie ticket. (You get credit for 1 pint per donation.)
If you’ve got a little more time to spare, you can give platelets as well. They take blood out of one arm separate the platelets out and put the blood back in the other arm. Platelets are given to cancer patients to help with their white blood cell count, and also for use if they need cancer surgery. You can do it more often (every 2 weeks), but it takes 2 to 3 hours and you have to lie still with your arms spread out. The good news is that they give you something to watch while you’re doing it. Our local chapter has Netflix. I watched the first episode of “El Ministerio Del Tiempo”(The Ministry of Time) at home, but then watched the remainder of all three seasons at the Blood Bank over time. (You get credit for 2 pints per donation.)
I invite everyone reading this to donate blood or platelets next time you have a chance. Certain physical ailments or taking certain medications might not allow you to do so, but most people can donate with no problems. If you wish to donate platelets, make an appointment first and make sure you have no aspirin products within 48 hours prior to your appointment. I’ve donated over 37 gallons in my lifetime so far. I’m not trying to brag – just to show that I wouldn’t ask someone to do something like this if I wasn’t willing to do it myself. Please give it some thought. Thanks for listening.
But what people often forget is that blood is always needed, not just when there’s a shooting or some big accident. People get injured, have surgeries, or are in car wrecks every day and blood is often desperately needed. A person can give blood every 56 days (8 weeks). It only takes about an hour or so. Yes, they stick a needle in you to start the process. But as someone who personally never liked needles - if I can put up with it, so can you. It’s healthy for the donor as well. And it’s something you can give that can help other people, but doesn’t cost you anything. Sometimes you’ll even get a little something for doing it, like a T-shirt or even a movie ticket. (You get credit for 1 pint per donation.)
If you’ve got a little more time to spare, you can give platelets as well. They take blood out of one arm separate the platelets out and put the blood back in the other arm. Platelets are given to cancer patients to help with their white blood cell count, and also for use if they need cancer surgery. You can do it more often (every 2 weeks), but it takes 2 to 3 hours and you have to lie still with your arms spread out. The good news is that they give you something to watch while you’re doing it. Our local chapter has Netflix. I watched the first episode of “El Ministerio Del Tiempo”(The Ministry of Time) at home, but then watched the remainder of all three seasons at the Blood Bank over time. (You get credit for 2 pints per donation.)
I invite everyone reading this to donate blood or platelets next time you have a chance. Certain physical ailments or taking certain medications might not allow you to do so, but most people can donate with no problems. If you wish to donate platelets, make an appointment first and make sure you have no aspirin products within 48 hours prior to your appointment. I’ve donated over 37 gallons in my lifetime so far. I’m not trying to brag – just to show that I wouldn’t ask someone to do something like this if I wasn’t willing to do it myself. Please give it some thought. Thanks for listening.