Donate Blood

Well there was a Red Cross Blood Drive in our building today and I jumped at the opportunity to donate. Unfortunately, my mind and my body weren't in the same place because my iron was too low for me to donate. Enough about that, I think that anyone who can should donate blood. Think about it, most people like to donate to charities or give to this cause or that cause, and understandably that can really add up in the checkbook. Well, giving blood doesn't cost you a thing. You just need to take a little time out of your day and suck it up if you are scared of needles and just do it. You never know when it will be you or someone else that is close to you that might need pints of blood at one time or another. So, wouldn't you feel better knowing you are doing what you can do to save the life of someone you don't know, or potentially someone you do. It honestly doesn't hurt and it doesn't take much time. My little brother is the person I know who does this everytime he is eligible to and he also usually donates platelets too, we could all learn from him! Andy you da man! :) I urge anyone who is capable to consider doing it, out of the goodness of your heart. Someone's life could depend on it.
Here are a few facts for you to read over.
How much blood is donated each year?How much blood is transfused each year?
*About 12.6 million units (including approximately 643,000 autologous donations) of whole blood are donated in the United States each year by approximately eight million volunteer blood donors. These units are transfused to about four million patients per year.

Typically, each donated unit of blood, referred to as whole blood, is separated into multiple components, such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Each component is generally transfused to a different individual, each with different needs.

The need for blood is great--on any given day, approximately 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, all utilize blood. More than 23 million units of blood components are transfused every year.
Who donates blood?
Less than 5 percent of healthy Americans eligible to donate blood, actually do so.