Give Blood. Save a life.

I'm not a rich man.  I know by reading this blog and frequenting the advertisers you must think I'm like Scrooge McDuck swimming through gold coins in a money bin, but rest assured I'm not among the wealthiest men in America.  I am not even amongst the wealthiest men in my state, city, or street.  So when the Earthquake rocked Haiti I felt so helpless.  Believe it or not, I fancy myself as being someone who cares.  Maybe its because I am a father or maybe its because of the loss of my mother, but I always feel the pain of those around me.  When the earthquake struck Haiti, I felt for all the families in Haiti who lost parents, children, brothers, sisters, etc.  I felt like if I was in their shoes, how could I survive?  Of course those people need help.  But as previously mentioned, some of us aren't in a position to give back.  I did go on-line and donate a token to the Help for Haiti Fund.  I still had the desire to give more.  

That's where the American Red Cross enters.  There is something I do share with some of the Rich Guys, something we both share no matter how much money they have an no matter how much I don't.  Blood.  Life Source.  During a time of an catastrophe, blood is always needed.  The blood I donated maybe used in Haiti or where ever it is most needed.  And although my blood might not make its way to Haiti, I feel good in knowing that my blood is being given to someone in need.  The process is relatively painless, the blood donated could help to save as many as three lives.  From the American Redcross Website here is what happens to your donation.

Each blood donation is assigned a unique computer bar code number, which will identify it throughout its path from the donor to a hospital patient. Immediately after the blood donation, the blood is placed in transport containers designed to keep it at a safe temperature until it reaches a Red Cross component laboratory. Samples of the blood donation are simultaneously sent to one of nine Red Cross National Testing Laboratories to be tested for transmissible diseases. In the component lab, the blood is separated into its components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The products are then placed in quarantined, temperature-controlled refrigeration units until the test results are received (usually 12-16 hours later) and the blood can be released for distribution or destroyed. From local distribution centers, the blood is transported to hospitals based on patient need. Hospital personnel then transfuse the blood or blood products to a patient in need.

So I took my lovely lady to a donation place. After giving up some personal info we were poked with a needle, gave our blood - our life source, and helped someone who was in need. After a few minutes at the snack tray eating crackers, nuts, and cookies and drinking juices, we were sent on our merry way. I hope you read this and are inspired to donate your blood to help make a difference.