Letters to the editor
By Staff
Blood donors are
difference makers
Editor,
The next time you are in a crowd look around and see if you can spot the blood donors—it will be a challenge. They come is all shapes and sizes, men and women, from 16-year-old first-timers to veteran donors in their 90s who continue to support their communities by giving blood. It’s estimated that only four percent of Americans donate blood regularly. That means that somewhere in a crowd are the four people in every hundred who are supporting the other 96. To that small group, we at LifeSouth say thank you, and we join with other blood centers across the country in honoring blood donors in January, while working to raise awareness of the impact of giving.
That four percent has a tough job and they certainly could use some help. It’s estimated that one in every seven patients entering a hospital will need blood. The organization America’s Blood Centers estimates 38,000 units of blood are used every day in this country and every drop must come from a donor, since there is no substitute for human blood. Trauma patients, those receiving chemotherapies for cancer or undergoing surgery depend on blood being available. That need never takes a holiday.
And while the shelves in our hospitals can be filled for emergencies, blood isn’t a product that can be stored indefinitely. Just like milk on the shelves at the a supermarket, blood has a shelf life – 42 days for red blood cells and only five days for the platelets that are so vital for trauma and cancer patients.
Here’s another important number in the blood donor equation - one. No, it’s not very big, but if just one person in every 100 would donate regularly, it would greatly reduce the chance of a shortage. If those who do donate would do so one more time each year, it would make a huge difference.
So, today I’m asking you to be the “one.” I’m asking you to be a blood donor. Today, somewhere in our community someone will be waking up not knowing that their life will depend on a blood donor. A few minutes of your time can make a lifetime of difference for that person. Be the one. Donate blood today.
Tammy Barnes, director
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers North Alabama District
Thank you, Morgan County
Editor,
The Volunteer Center of Morgan County would like to give a sincere thank you to all who helped make Can-A-Thon, Holiday Hope Chest, and the Teenage Holiday Assistance Program so successful this holiday season.
The generosity of our Morgan County Community continues to amaze me. Even in stressful economic times when the outlook appears to be very bleak for many people, residents of our community stepped up to volunteer their time, money, and energy to take care of their neighbors. This year over 73,000 cans were collected during the 2009 Can-a-Thon, with over 40,000 cans collected by the 29 participating schools! Special thanks to WAFF TV, Decatur Mall, and all of the sponsors for this event. Sixteen agencies that provide food for people in our community benefited from this area-wide food drive.
It was so exciting when the Holiday Hope Chests started pouring in from all over Morgan County. The number of Holiday Hope Chests reached over 1,400 with the help of generous school groups and many caring community businesses, churches, agencies, clubs and individuals. We were able to meet requests for so many agencies.
The Teenage Holiday Assistance Program saw a record increase in the number of teens registered for assistance in 2009. Thanks to you, all 130 teens who requested assistance were sponsored!
A heartfelt thank you for your kind, generous and caring spirit! You can be proud of your contributions for giving the best gift of all this holiday season (your resources, time and love)! On behalf of the staff of the Volunteer Center of Morgan County, “Thanks for making a difference in your community!
Jessica Nelson
Executive Director
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