As I have mentioned previously, I was diagnosed with leukemia in October. As part of my treatment, I regularly receive blood and platelet transfusions after chemotherapy.
While I sit watching the bags drip into my arm in the hospital clinic, I cannot help but think about the people who have taken the time — and weathered the brief poke in the arm — to make sure that someone they didn’t know (like me) would be able to fight leukemia or deal with other of life’s challenges. (My donated blood comes from the New York Blood Center where, ironically, my Community Emergency Response Team has our monthly meeting.)
January is National Blood Donor Month which is co-sponsored by the American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks. Though the need is year-round, January was chosen because:Â
“Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations. A reduction in turnout can put our nation’s blood inventory at a critical low.”
In the past, I have donated blood sporadically. But, of course, I now have an increased appreciation for the blood donor.Â
So, please consider blood and platelet donation. On its newly-revamped website, the American Red Cross has information about giving. It also has a site, www.givelife.org, and a toll-free number, 1-800-448-3543, to find blood drives in your area.
The American Association of Blood Banks also has a website which allows you to search by zip codes for places (like hospitals) where you can donate blood and platelets.
It is a relatively easy way that all of us can contribute to our society’s preparedness for emergencies. And personally, I thank you in advance.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Weather the Brief Poke in the Arm // Jan 23, 2009 at 12:34 pm
[...] good friend and preparedness expert John Solomon has just weighed in on the importance of blood [...]
2 Give Valuable Blood, Win Valuable Prizes — & Maybe A Date // Mar 4, 2009 at 8:53 pm
[...] someone now benefiting from periodic transfusions, I’ve been promoting the importance of blood and platelet donations. I am also always on the lookout for innovative consumer marketing approaches in the preparedness [...]
3 Today Is The Blog’s First Birthday! // Mar 29, 2009 at 9:12 am
[...] year for the nation and for me personally. I appreciate all the good wishes I received regarding my illness and for everyone for sticking with me while the blog was on hiatus. I thank you for your continued [...]
4 Today Is World Blood Donor Day — Please Consider Donating Your Blood Somewhere In The World // Jun 14, 2009 at 8:58 am
[...] and thank you mom & dad. It is also World Blood Donor Day.  And as someone who over the past seven months has benefited from a lot of blood, I hope you will consider donating wherever you are reading this in the world. I know it is not fun [...]
5 On The 1st Anniversary Of My Leukemia Diagnosis, Feeling Thankful About A Year Of Thorns & Roses // Oct 17, 2009 at 10:40 am
[...] now have a new appreciation for blood donors. As I sat in the clinic during my treatment getting infusions as part of my treatment, I looked [...]
6 In Red Cross (Australia) Blood Donation PSA, Filmmakers Put Their Arms Where Their Message Is // Apr 11, 2010 at 12:49 pm
[...] new blood donation PSA from the Australian Red Cross that I wanted to post. And, as someone who has benefited greatly from donated blood, I’m always looking for a reason to promote the subject on the blog. The short video is worth [...]
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