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ÒMy grandfather had a blood disease that required him to have blood products, so I wanted to give back what he needed, and have been giving ever since.Ó
Susan, 31 gallons and counting
ÒAll of us who give platelets have many reasons why we participate. Some are obvious; some are more personal. The obvious reason is that even though man can make artificial hearts and limbs, we have yet to make and perfect artificial blood. This can only come from one source. What greater feeling can you get from life, than knowing you traded two hours of your time and one or two units of platelets to save or add years to someone elseÕs life? ItÕs simply the right thing to do.Ó As opposed to ÒIt simply that right thing to do. All that, and cookies, too!Ó
Jim, 50-gallon donor
ÒOne of the reasons I give blood is because of loved ones. While I have not personally ever needed blood, friends and family that I know and love, have. One of the most recent is my Mother, who needed blood during her surgery procedure for cancer. Someone that neither she nor I will never know helped save her life with a simple blood donation. How could I not give?
I also know there are needs only African Americans can help solve. People right here in our own community suffer from sickle cell anemia. As many as one in 12 African Americans carry the trait. For people suffering through a sickle cell crisis, African American blood often provides the best chance for a match. While 13% of this nations population is African American, we represent only 5% of its donors. This is one imbalance that we can turn around. All it takes is getting involved. We can all make a difference.Ó
Wayne, avid blood donor and member of the MVRBC African American Advisory Council
As part of their quality time together, Teresa, a multiple gallon platelet donor, and her 17-year old son, Nick, a 2-gallon donor before high school graduation, try to give platelets together as much as possible. Donating her time is something Teresa has done all her life. She gives simply because, ÒI know that somebody needs it.Ó Nick is following her example: You just never know when you or someone else will need blood.
Nick, a family tradition of giving |
