Give Blood for Someone Else’s Health

The American Red Cross reports there is a critical blood shortage across the country. All people who are able to give blood (for guidelines on who can and can’t give blood, check out this list) are urged to do so. You can find a place to give blood in your community by calling 1-800-Give-Life or visiting this site.

People who know about these things say that people don’t give as much blood in the summer because they are busier, on vacation, etc. But there are always accidents and surgeries that require blood, and the average car accident victim needs between four and 40 units. Particularly desired are donors with type O, A-negative and B-negative blood.

About 60 percent of the nation’s residents are eligable to give blood, but only about five percent do. Someone in America needs blood every two seconds. So, if you are able, please take some time this week to give blood, either to the Red Cross or to your local blood bank. It may not make you healthier, but it will make you feel better because you’ve made a difference.