Save a Life: Be a Hero by Donating Blood

Ever wondered how you could be a true hero? Make a difference in your community? Well, now you can-by giving your time and energy to donate blood.

With all the miracles of modern medicine, it's sometimes easy to forget the importance of donating blood. In fact, the need for blood only increases as advances in technology make it possible to perform life-saving procedures.

Even though about 260 adults a month, donate blood in our area, hundreds more have not! About 60 percent of our population is able to give blood, but only five percent actually do. For whatever reasons, some individuals are drifted away by the concept of…uuueee…giving blood. So, here's the facts to a few myths cringing you from saving a life.

Myth #1: "Donating blood 'attracts' diseases." This is absolutely, absolutely not true! All the equipment is new, disposable and used only one time. You cannot "attract" diseases from donating blood. The only thing you will "attract" is the good feeling of helping others.

Myth #2: "Only certain blood types are needed." No way! All blood types are considered necessary every day of the year. Our community blood center depends on a steady, adequate blood supply for all people including accident victims, cancer patients, and children with leukemia.

Myth #3: "You don't have enough blood to donate." Not true! Only one pint of blood is taken. The average adult has 10 to 12 pints of blood in his or her body. Your body makes new blood constantly, so it doesn't take long for the blood volume to be replaced.

So, the real question is, should you donate YOUR blood? It is totally up to you! Nobody will require or demand that you donate your blood. However, most individuals do not realize that donated blood has only a short, shelf life of 42 days, and our blood center needs a constant and steady stream of donors. Also, because of the threat of terrorism in our country, our community needs to ensure emergency blood is on the shelf beforehand. Every three seconds a person needs blood, and only through the generosity of donors can our blood center help someone.

Also, donating blood can now help you! According to a recent study from the University of Kansas Medical Center, giving blood can lower the risk of heart disease-a disease that is killing people every day.

Therefore, by giving a few minutes out of your busy schedule, you can help yourself, your community, and your country. So, be a HERO-save a life.