My freshman year in high school the cistern that provided water to the small rural parochial school I attended became contaminated by raw sewage. The health department was called in to investigate and it is a long story on the how and why's. The outcome was an outbreak of hepatitis in our community. There were so many people from our area sick that the hospital ran out of beds and were having to place patients in the hallways and even the cafeteria. Finally, they had to refuse to take all but the worse patients and the rest were forced to be treated at home. My father and I were among the hundreds that became ill.
Everyone recovered but it was a long slow process for some, me included. I learned two major things during this ordeal. One was that blood transfusions save lives. The other was that once you have had hepatitis you can never give blood because the virus continues to live in your system and can be passed to others through your blood.
While I can not donate blood the Old Salt can and does as often as possible. Recently, the Bob Evans Restaurant here sponsored a blood drive and the Old Salt was one of the first in line to donate.
The pamphlet he received said that every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate.
There is no substitute for your donation.
I also learned that when you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.
How sad is that?
The Old Salt going in to give his donation. I'm so proud that he is one of the three percent who care enough to contribute and give the gift of life.
This is ED, he is the manager of our Bob Evans Restaurant,
waiting inside the bloodmobile for his turn to donate.
To find out where you can donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org
I am linking this post to Ruby Tuesday and Rednesday.
Mary at "Work of the Poet" hosts Ruby Tuesday. Rednesday is a Wednesday meme hosted by Sue at "It's a Very Cherry World." Both memes are dedicated to the color red. To join the fun or just check out what Red others are excited to share visit Mary and her friends at Ruby Tuesday and Sue and her friends from Rednesday
That is sad that only 3% bother to donate. And a bit scary, too. I have been donating blood regularly for years - as long as I lay back and close my eyes to the needle and the red stuff moving along that tube, I'm fine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing that your hubby does!!!! I know it's such a crucial need. Thanks for sharing for Rednesday.
ReplyDeleteThat's so wonderful that your husband regularly donates blood! Who knows how many lives he's saved by doing so. He's a hero!
ReplyDeleteHappy REDnesday,
Carol
One of my brothers gets called on a regular basis to come and donate. He blood type is always needed.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately giving blood is like most other things in life. When it comes to donating time there are the 3% who do, the 50% who talk about doing but never do and the 47% who can't even be bothered to talk about it.
ReplyDeleteI have found that true with parents getting involved in school activities, scouting, 4-H groups I have worked with. I also see the same thing with church, civic and charitable activities as well.
You know me -- catching up. 1) this was a perfect 'red' post and a great message. The bloodmobile (which is a red truck) comes to our RV Park every three months, during the season and I donate. (Bill can't.) It is a good thing that they lifted the 65 upper-age limit that they used to have -- we give quite a few pints here and almost all of it is from older seniors!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. When I lived in a city, it was easy to donate blood--and I did. Now that I'm out in the middle of nowhere, donating is a hassle--but still worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteTO LIVE WITHOUT RED
“To live without red is a sin!”
She said, with a rubicund grin.
“A world without red?
I’d rather be dead!
No crimson? It shivers my skin!”
© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Red Art in Mexico