New Year - Old Request

Welcome to a New Year and welcome to an Old Request. It's January so of course that means it's National Blood Donor Month. Over the last few years, I have highlighted the importance, begged for the cause, and reflected on the need.

Perhaps there is nothing different to this year's request and the ever present need for more donors, especially with the cold weather upon us. But, if your New Year's resolutions include being healthy, shouldn't that also include giving the gift of health to others?

Make your resolution to become a regular blood donor this year - it's a lifesaving and great habit to have. As I have said before the rarest blood type is the one that is not on the shelf and not available for use.

Can you find it in your heart to make a resolution to give the gift of life and health to others?

Give the Perfect Gift

Every Christmas season, you see me say the same things - "there will be shortages", "we need you", or "just take one hour of your time to donate blood". This year is no different but I ask, do you know what's really on my Santa List?

The hustle and bustle of the season keeps everyone moving at such a pace that you really don't know wrapping paper from a candy cane. One thing is for sure, the weather is getting colder and that indicates a significant drop in blood donors.

Last January/February more than 33,000 blood drives were canceled nationwide due to inclement weather (remember all that snow?!?) and in order to prepare for the hardest part of winter, we MUST stock our shelves NOW.

As I make my annual plea, I do hope that you can find that one hour to donate blood and save 3 lives. Make someone's Christmas special with the gift of life - you never know, it could be just what was on someone's list, I know it's on my list for Santa.

'Tis the Season.......

As the Christmas season is in full swing and people are hustling and bustling their way through the streets, the mall, and life itself - I stand still.

Standing still allows me to drink in the sights, the lights, the sounds, and the smells. There is a cheerful lightness that is brought to my heart during this season for I savor each moment knowing all that is might never have been.

While the last three months of 2011 have been some of the most difficult, I am still grateful for the simple things. There may not be many presents under the tree this year, but I was given an amazing gift of a second chance at life and no gift-wrapped box could ever mean more.

This Christmas, I will look back at another year and look forward to the possibilities of what lies ahead. As with every year, there are bumps in the road, potholes along the way and beautiful back roads that get us to the end.

So, 'tis the season to share our love and memories with each other and I appreciate the opportunity to enjoy those memories all thanks to blood donors. For every drop they donated granted me the promise of another day, another year, another Christmas.

As in years past, I ask that you take 1 hour out of your hectic holiday schedule and gift the best Christmas gift you could give by donating blood. Saving those 3 lives gives another Christmas to someone that may have thought it not possible.

Actually, I CAN get paid for that......

So, last January I had a post about donating blood for cash - Can I Get Paid for That? and no, I am not saying you can get paid to donate whole blood. But yes, you can get paid to donate plasma.

It is the holiday season and a lot of people need extra cash and you can donate plasma twice a week, but who is using that plasma?

The plasma that is collected at local plasma centers is manufactured into a wide variety of life-saving products that benefit thousands of people everyday. Plasma is used in the treatment of serious disorders such as hemophilia and immune system deficiencies, and to make products used to help treat and prevent diseases like tetanus, rabies, measles, rubella and hepatitis B.

One example is Hemophilia patients. They are deficient in the natural clotting factors that help stop bleeding after sustaining acute or other injuries. Plasma-based products are used to treat people with this disorder so that they may lead normal, active lives.

In addition, hospitals and emergency rooms all over the world use plasma-derived albumin in the treatment of traumatic injuries such as shock and severe burns.

It is important to remember that plasma is not a substance that can be produced in a laboratory or some other artificial environment. It can only be obtained from healthy adults. When you donate plasma, you are helping save lives.

Plasma that is donated and PAID for is used for medical research and/or used in products for other life-saving measures. It is NOT given to local hospitals or stored for future use by patients. This is unlike when you donate at local blood centers/drives - you are paid through the life saving efforts and NOT a monetary compensation.

Is it important to have the products/research that is derived from paid-for plasma? Yes, but if you can donate it directly to those that need it immediately please do so and if you want to, also donate for compensation since plasma can be easily replaced by your body.

Lots of Lemons? Add Sugar.....

So it's been about a month since my last post. During this time I was hoping to take a much needed sabbatical from my advocacy work and just enjoy some quiet time.

Seems that just when you are about to enjoy life a little, life is going to throw a few lemons your direction. Thankfully, there are some brighter days ahead, but it is going to take a bit of time to see the light.

I received a call that truly turned my life upside down, backwards, and rolling. My mom, who rides her bicycle between 35-100 miles a week and stays healthy with swimming/spinning, was on a daily ride and was struck by a car. This news was devastating to hear and more importantly I was immediately taken to a place that I didn't think I needed to worry about, yet, with my mom. I imagined the worst before I heard all of the news and didn't sleep a wink until I could see her.

Battered, bruised, and broken in more ways than you can begin imagine, my mom is a fighter - a tough chick (if you will). She doesn't know the word "no", she doesn't understand the concept of "can't", and won't wait for help if she thinks she can do it herself.

Unfortunetly I can not divulge details of the accident due to an on-going investigation, however, she is fighting for each moment and doing well. We celebrate the small moments of learning to walk with a walker; recalling an old memory; or taking strong deep breaths.

I will say that wearing a helmet while riding absolutely saved her life and while her body is bruised, she will be with us. For a long time.

This incident was the last in a string of things happening that has really opened my eyes to life in a new way and is not only changing my path and depth of passion, but reminding me that there is nothing in life without family to share it with.

So when life hands you lemons, add a little sugar and make lemonade and share it with those you love.