Help?

I pretty much write about stuff I'm interested in on this little blog but every once in a while I hope it might help someone as well. Today is one of those days, times two.

 I've mentioned before my desire to spread the good word on giving blood. There is almost literally nothing else you can do that costs nothing and take so little time but does so much good. We're talking saving lives, people! For reals.

Well, today I heard on the radio that the annual Seattle summer blood shortage is on, so much so that some surgeries are being rescheduled. Why? Several reasons.

#1. More need. Trauma cases here are up twenty percent in the summer.

#2. Fewer donations. The rest of the year, 25 percent of the blood donors are students who are somewhere else doing something else during the summer.

#3. Worldwide disasters, from China to Iowa, blood is needed and is being imported from all over, including here.

A new factor this year is, believe it, higher gas prices. Many potential and even regular donors are limiting their auto trips to essentials only. Volunteering is way down on the list for many.

Here's the link to the Puget Sound Blood Center and their area locations (I give every two months at the downtown center on Terry Avenue). And wherever you are reading this today, if you are eligible, please look into giving blood in your city this week. Free juice and cookies too!!!

Next up, blog reader Christina has asked me to mention the dire need for bone marrow donors as well. Her friend Michelle is in a race against time to find one and is also using her own situation to raise awareness of the crisis with this website, ProjectMichelle.com. So far, more than nine thousand new potential life savers have registered through the site to be part of the National Registry. Good luck, Michelle, and thank you to my readers for  clicking through to her page.

All right, people, let's go out and do some good today.

Comments

[Stacey]

I, too, am a regular blood donor, and the number one reason I hear from people on why they don't donate is that they hate needles. If that's your reason for not donating, I've got news for you - no one LIKES needles.

Bottom line, you don't have to look at it. I can't stand the sight of them, either. So I bring something light to read (leave "War and Peace" at home), and let all Red Cross volunteers within earshot know that I can't stand the sight of needles. They're very good at letting me know when to look away. Trust me, you won't be the first one they've seen who's apprehensive, and they know how to handle you.

[Nicole]

Something else that is greatly needed and not very well known is platelet donation. It is quite similar to donating blood, so give it a try!

[Mona Vie]

Make your appointment and go donate! Like hitting the gym, just getting your lazy ass there is 95% of the battle. Once you are there, not a big deal.

[Jessica]

yeah..so I just found out that my blood type is O-.
People like me can donate blood to ANYONE, which is pretty cool except I hate having my blood drawn. Before I found out I was O- I felt blissful in my ignorance. I preferred to keep my blood for my self. Since I was told I now feel that my social responsibility out weighs my fears.
I read on redcross.org that only 7 of 100 donors are O-. Only 6.3% of Americans have O- blood.
The only blood an O- person can accept is O-.This means that if I or any other O- person were to need blood due to some sort of blood loss chances of having a plentiful supply at hand in the hospital are relatively low.
Also the fact that my blood can help ANYONE is too big to deny. All I can say for my self is that next time I see a blood donation I will be sure to take part.
Bite the Bullet.

[Jeff]

I was a bone marrow donor. Actually, stem cell donor (which is even easier). Bottom line, I saved a life. It was by far the coolest thing I've ever done (I think I may have peaked early).

I didn't know my recipient, but I do now and I'm thrilled that we are now friends; he's a great guy.

From a selfish standpoint, it makes a hell of a first date story.

So, bottom line...sign up for the registry. You may not get a call right away (I was on for 10 years before I was called) but when you do get the call, it's the best call you'll ever get.

http://www.marrow.org/

[Christina]

YAY BEAN!! Everyone who can should donate. I have tried multiple times but keep getting turned down for low iron, but I have been taking my iron pills, eating my dark green and leafy vegetables, so I will keep on trying until the Red Cross has no choice but to just take my freaking blood already.

I signed up with the National Donor Marrow Registry last year. A couple of cheek swabs and I was good to go. Not that I wish anyone will need my marrow, but if someone does, I am ready and waiting.

And how's this for being all civic minded - I have Jury Duty on the 14th next month!!! Wish me luck!!

[JRD]

I too am O- and feel it's my duty to share my blood. I HATE when people say they cannot give because of the needles! Every time I give blood, my blood pressure drops and it's scary, but how does that outweigh saving someone's life?

[Chris]

Thanks for the post, Bean. It's a great reminder of how easy it is to do something that can save a life.

[LA]

I'm already on the National Registry for bone marrow/stem cell donation. I signed up after a friend died of lymphoma. I couldn't have saved my friend, but I might be able to save someone, someday.

Props to commenter Jeff above. And to your O- readers, too.

[Nicole]

I go and donate blood. One time they told me my blood was good because they can give it to babies. I'm cmv negative and here's what united blood services says about thatin the faq:

I found out that I have CMV negative blood. Can I still donate?

Yes! In fact, United Blood Services maintains a list of donors whose blood is CMV negative. When a patient needs CMV negative blood, a CMV negative donor with the patient's blood type can be called to donate for that patient. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus carried by more than half of the population. Most people who have the virus never know it and for the average healthy person, CMV does not cause a problem. However, for patients whose immune systems are not functioning properly(premature babies, cancer patients and others who cannot fight infection), CMV can be very serious. Testing for CMV is not required, but some donated units are tested for evidence of the virus when it is necessary to provide blood from donors who have not had CMV.