1. Someone needs blood every 3 seconds in this country. An average of 40,000 units are needed every day in the U.S. There is no substitute for human blood.
2. 60% of the population will need blood at some time in their lives, yet less than 5% of the population donates.
3. Disasters like car accidents, fires, and other trauma cases happen every day and these patients need blood, and rarely do they need only one pint. A bleeding trauma victim can run through 100 units of blood in no time.
4. If all eligible donors would donate on a regular basis, four to six times a year, blood needs would be met and shortages could be a thing of the past.
5. For decades this nation relied on a large pool of blood donors from "The Greatest Generation," the heroic World War II veterans who considered blood donation to be an on-going patriotic duty. Sadly, that generation is fast disappearing and other new donors are not stepping forward to replace them.
6. Donating blood is safe and a healthy thing to do. Not only do you get a free mini physical, including blood pressure check, heart rate, temperature and iron levels, but it's the fastest way to lose a pound!
7. For men, there is a life-saving benefit to donating blood. Men are at higher risk for "hemochromatosis or iron overload" a potentially deadly problem where too much iron builds up in the blood. It can lead to heart disease and other major health problems. Research shows if men give blood 3 times a year, they can reduce their iron overload and therefore their risk of a heart attack by as much as 50%!
8. Blood donors are true heroes. In fact, your one blood donation will be broken down into several components, enabling you, with just one donation, to save up to three lives!
I know of several blood drives being held this week.
Blood drives today
- 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Road
- Noon to 6 p.m., Firehouse Subs, 1237 Knox Ave. , North Augusta
June 30th:
-Columbia County EMA 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 630 Ronald Reagan Dr., Evans, GA For everyone who donates blood you get a tshirt and a Chickfila meal!
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