Become a Blood Donor
... first time donors in the Carolinas Region that gave blood in the days following the 9/11 tragedy, a mere 1% have returned to provide the "Gift of Life" again. You are eligible to give blood once ever 56 days (or every 8 weeks). 1 pint of donated blood will help save 3 lives. The number one fear people have for giving blood is the fear of needles; the number one reason people do not give is because they are never asked... The people who need blood come in all ages and from all ethnic and economic walks of life. They require transfusions to replace blood they've lost during surgery, because of accidents or internal bleeding, and to treat diseases. Many recipients are hospital patients. Others are people who appear to be healthy. Chances are you know people who have received a blood transfusion. They include: cancer patients, sickle cell patients, leukemia patients, premature infants, hemophilia patients, surgery and accidents patients, and burn and trauma patients. With the current increased demand for blood, we need more donors – especially people who are committed to donating blood. In addition, we need to rely on volunteer donors rather than those who are paid. Giving blood doesn't just benefit recipients. Regardless of age, donating blood offers many benefits for donors. According to the Line on Life website, currently only about 5% of the potential blood donors give blood. Many people do not give blood, because they are afraid of needles or think it will be painful. Others have heard of a few people who have become faint or dizzy after donating blood. Some don’t want to take the time and effort required to give blood. Blood bank organizations constantly seek new donors. www.metlife200.org states that those who fit the bill include individuals between 17 and 76 years old who weigh at least 110 pounds. Young people, in particular, are in demand. Why? For the most part, they're healthier than other age groups and thus more able to give. They can donate blood for a lifetime, ensuring a steady source of blood. If you're healthy, your body — which has between 10 and 12 pints of blood — can easily spare about a pint, the amount that's collected at a donation. Because the body begins replacing donated blood immediately, most people can give blood every eight weeks. Blood drives are held throughout the year at schools, churches, synagogues...