Donating Blood

Total words: 808
Did you know that you could be saving 3 lives right now? Blood is always needed for treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients, and you can help! By donating a mere one hour out of your life, you can save 3. I am a blood donor and I have volunteered for the American Red Cross and I know how important this is. Each and everyone of you can help. I am going to convince you to become a blood donor and save a life!
The demand for blood never lets up. Every day, thousands of people need donations to live. Before they can receive it, donated blood must go through time-consuming tests. Then, it must be used relatively quickly or it will perish - whole blood, for instance, is no longer usable after 42 days. As a result, maintaining an adequate blood supply is a challenge - especially when a disaster occurs, which may cause the need for blood to soar. The only way to meet demand is to have regular donations from healthy volunteers.
According to www.sph.unc.edu Less than 5% of the eligible U.S. population gives blood yet approx. 96% of us will need a blood product at some point during our lifetime (based on 72 year life expectancy).Of the first time donors in the Carolinas Region that gave blood in the days following the 9/11 tragedy, a mere 1% have returned to provide the "Gift of Life" again. You are eligible to give blood once ever 56 days (or every 8 weeks). 1 pint of donated blood will help save 3 lives. The number one fear people have for giving blood is the fear of needles; the number one reason people do not give is because they are never asked...
The people who need blood come in all ages and from all ethnic and economic walks of life. They require transfusions to replace blood they've lost during surgery, because of accidents or internal bleeding, and to treat diseases. Many recipients are hospital patients. Others are people who appear to be healthy. Chances are you know people who have received a blood transfusion. They include: cancer patients, sickle cell patients, leukemia patients, premature infants, hemophilia patients, surgery and accidents patients, and burn and trauma patients.
With the current increased demand for blood, we need more donors - especially people who are committed to donating blood. In addition, we need to rely on volunteer donors rather than those who are paid.
Giving blood doesn't just benefit recipients. Regardless of age, donating blood offers many benefits for donors. According to the Line on Life website, currently only about 5% of the potential blood donors give blood. Many people do not give blood, because they are afraid of needles or think it will be painful. Others have heard of a few people who have become faint or dizzy after donating blood. Some don't want to take the time and effort required to give blood. Blood bank organizations constantly seek new donors. www.metlife200.org states that those who fit the bill include individuals between 17 and 76 years old who weigh at least 110 pounds. Young people, in particular, are in demand. Why? For the most part, they're healthier than other age groups and thus more able to give. They can donate blood for a lifetime, ensuring a steady source of blood.
If you're healthy, your body - which has between 10 and 12 pints of blood - can easily spare about a pint, the amount that's collected at a donation. Because the body begins replacing donated blood immediately, most people can give blood every eight weeks.
Blood drives are held throughout the year at schools, churches, synagogues, military bases, places of business and organizations in your community. Check the health section of your local newspaper for blood drive listings, and look in the Yellow Pages for the telephone number of the blood collection organization nearest you.
Giving blood is easy and confidential. Essentially, all you have to do is show up. Blood bank professionals do the rest.

Imagine one of your closest family members is in a horrible accident and has lost so much blood the doctors tell you they are not going to make it without a donor. This is where you come in. You can save someone's life.

According to www.americasblood.org Donating blood is a simple process that saves more than four million American lives each year. Your one donation can save three lives. Blood Donation is a Community Responsibility and while you are listening to this speech, someone in America needs blood. Blood is needed every three seconds. One out of three people need donated blood in their lifetime. One out of ten hospital patients needs a blood transfusion. Blood cannot be manufactured or harvested. Donate blood. It's about one hour of your time. It's about life. I am Asking...Please Give!

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