The Gift of Life
My sister is the most giving person I know. I couldn’t have a better business partner, friend, or sister. I recently told her that she was the best gift our mom ever gave me… and I meant it! My sister gave our ex step-dad a kidney. Now that she’s down to one kidney, she finds other ways to give. Last week, I was able to go along while she donated blood.
Sarah Donating Blood
She drank a gallon of water before the appointment to be sure she’d have no trouble donating. I was unable to donate blood at the time, so I came for moral support and to take pictures. We have a Bonfils Blood Center in Boulder so we met there. Sarah didn’t seem nervous and she was able to get in quickly. Once they “hooked her up” the blood was flowing fast! Apparently her state of hydration helped and it only took about 10 minutes before her blood donation was complete.
Changes in health care and less invasive procedures have shown a decline in the need for blood but the need still exists. In August 2014, the New York Times published an article about the shrinking blood industry. As Dr. Ferraris at the University of Kentucky put it, when a transfusion is needed, it is still needed. “Every surgeon who’s ever lived has seen somebody whose life was saved by a blood transfusion,” he said.
Red Cross reports declines in blood donations over the winter months. According the Red Cross “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. On average, the Red Cross must collect 15,000 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.”
Donate Blood and Save a Life!
What an excellent gift donating blood is! It’s such and easy way to help save lives. Curious if you’re eligible? Check out the eligibility requirements for donating blood and find a location near you!
Once again, I’d like to acknowledge my amazing sister, Sarah Benson, who is always looking for ways to make the world a better place!