post #8

Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood. Sadly every minute of every day countless people are in need of blood, for transfusions, major injuries, even for some chronic diseases. America’s blood supply is practically emptied daily, which brings the cries for more donors.

The American Red Cross spreads the word about this ever-growing need. With over 38,000 blood donations needed daily to keep up the supply, and a person in need of blood every two minutes, someone has to spread the word. So the ARC has developed a program where anyone who is interested can sponsor their own blood drive, invite their friends, and show their community that they greatly care.

S. Doherty is just wrapping up his second blood drive he has sponsored this year. He says “Once you understand the growing need for blood, I don’t understand how you couldn’t do anything about it.” The process of donating blood takes around an hour, with a mini physical to begin with. The staff check your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to make sure it is safe for you to donate. They ask a few brief questions on your travels, if you’ve been to any countries that have a high risk for infection. After the exam they lay you down and get to work. The nurse inserts a needle into your vein and begins drawing your blood, your asked to squeeze and roll a ball in your hand to keep the blood flowing. They take approximately a pint of blood per donation. The average adult has about ten pints of blood in their body. Once you donate blood your body starts working on making more blood until you have gone back to your original blood mass. A donor can donate blood every 112 days. After they’ve gotten your blood they throw it on ice and it waits to go back to the lab to get tested. The ARC then supplies you with refreshments and sends you on your way. Doherty states “Yeah, you may be a little woozy after your donation, but that one pint of blood is going to save almost three lives. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”

The ARC supplies nearly 40% of the the Nation’s blood supply. After the blood is tested for diseases it is sent out to over 3,000 hospitals around the United States, to save countless lives. Anyone can become a sponsor. It is as simple as going to the American Red Cross’s website and clicking “become a sponsor”. You choose the location you’d like to have the blood drive, and spread the word. The Red Cross will send out a medical bus where all of the work is done.

Doherty had 24 people attend his latest blood drive, ten more donations than the last drive he sponsored. “That’s almost 75 lives! Do you know how awesome that is!” he yells with all his might. “It could be your uncle, it could be your grandmother, heck it could be you that needs it someday. Let’s help each other, help each other.”