A Busy Weekend!

The life of a mother/beauty queen/advocate is seldom dull and this weekend was packed full of activities on every spectrum.

I was once again blessed with an opportunity to help serve dinner to some of the most amazing heroes. HH McGuire Veterans hospital was home to another dinner provided by the Armed Forces Foundation. Joe Finch, who I have come to love as a friend and prayer warrior, extended the invitation and I gladly accepted. I am always humbled to see such high hopes and spirits out of men and women who have served our country. I even had the distinct honor of meeting a patient that is about to celebrate her 96th birthday and served our country but was a volunteer at the hospital for many years.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Ed, he diligently served our country and was at the hospital for some follow-up surgery and plans to return home next week. He was proud to state that he works for Verizon and gladly keeps himself busy. Even more interesting is that he currently lives just miles from my hometown. It's surely is a small world!

Now combined with a great experience, I even got to see the lovely folks of VA Blood Services hosting a blood drive the same day! These servicemen & women need blood donations. So it turned into a fantastic day all around! I was even able to encourage another hospital volunteer to donate blood - for the first time!! It's so exciting to help someone make the decision to save a life - she was surprised to see how simple it was and vowed to become a lifetime donor.


On Saturday, I then had the honor to take my STARS group to Falling Waters, WV, to see an Honor Star Crowning. These young ladies work hard for 2-3 years on learning scripture and walking in His light; at the end of that time, their accomplishments are honored with a retreat and Honor Crowning. Because our girls are just in the first year, they have a bit of work to complete, but it was important for them to see what they are earning - they were so excited to see the many ladies take part in the event and even had the pleasure of a enjoying an excellent praise & worship.

They love to dance and sing! I always learn something new about them each week and this little trip was no different. We enjoyed a giggly car ride up and an even sillier ride back. No matter how old we get, the giggle of little children always brings a smile.

World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day provides a unique opportunity to give thanks to those very special people who provide the foundation of a safe blood supply, available to all patients requiring transfusion. We urge you to join with others in the global community in making June 14 a day to remember.

Millions of people owe their lives to people they will never meet – people who donate their blood freely and without any reward. However, the overwhelming majority of the world’s population do not have access to safe blood. Over 80 million units of blood are donated every year, but only 38% are collected in developing countries where 82% of the global population live.

In addition, many countries remain dependent on donation by the families or friends of patients who require blood and, in some countries, blood donors still receive payment.Yet evidence from around the world demonstrates that voluntary unpaid donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply because they are least likely to transmit potentially life-threatening infections, such as HIV and hepatitis viruses, to the recipients of their blood. It is to these unsung heroes that World Blood Donor Day is dedicated.

World Blood Donor Day builds on the success of World Health Day 2000 which was devoted to the theme ‘Blood Saves Lives. Safe Blood Starts With Me. The enthusiasm and energy with which this day was celebrated indicated that there would be a positive response to an opportunity to give thanks to the millions of people who give the precious gift of life. It also builds on International Blood Donor Day organized annually by the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations since 1995.

The event on 14 June is not intended to replace events such as national Blood Donor Days, but provides a special opportunity for a united, global celebration on a day that has particular significance: the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system.

While it is hoped that World Blood Donor Day will create wider awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourage more people to become regular blood donors, the purpose is not to attract a big influx of new donors on 14 June. Rather, it is designed to celebrate and thank those individuals who voluntarily donate their blood without any reward, except the knowledge that they have helped to save lives, particularly those who give blood on a regular basis two, three or more times each year. It is our hope that a new generation of blood donors will follow their example, providing the safest blood possible for use wherever and whenever it is needed to save life.Youth will therefore be the focus of the day.

The day will also provide an opportunity to highlight the fact that voluntary non-remunerated blood donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply because they are associated with significantly lower levels of infections that can be transmitted by transfusion, including HIV and hepatitis viruses. Screening for transfusion-transmissible infections is essential, but the safest donations come from the safest donors.

14 June has been selected as World Blood Donor Day by three major organizations working for voluntary non-remunerated blood donation: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.These organizations have been joined by the World Health Organization, which is co-sponsoring the event. Between them, they represent 192 Member States, 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 50 national voluntary blood donor organizations and blood transfusion specialists throughout the world.

(from WBDD Org.)

West Virginia Joins the Ranks!

MORE GREAT NEWS! West Virginia, as of July 1, will allow 16 year-olds to donate blood!

Officials of the Greater Alleghenies Region and Appalachian Region of American Red Cross Blood Services, which conducts blood drives in all 55 West Virginia counties, have announced their intent to begin accepting blood donations by 16-year-olds, with parental consent, on July 1. This reflects the date when W.Va. House and Senate Bill 3083 becomes law.

The region’s action follows Governor Joe Manchin’s May 28, signing of the bill, which permits 16-year-olds to donate blood with parental consent.

Currently, a person who is 17 years of age or older is eligible to donate blood in a voluntary and non-compensatory blood program without the permission of a parent or guardian. The change will allow for someone between 16 and 17 years of age to be eligible to donate blood in a voluntary and non-compensatory blood collection program if the person obtains written permission from the person's parent or guardian.

Both Blood Services Regions will implement donation by 16-year-olds in West Virginia on the same day the bill becomes law. The Appalachian Blood Services Region, based out of Roanoke, Va., collects blood in 14 eastern and southern West Virginia counties. The Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, based out of Johnstown, Pa., collects blood in 41 counties in the western, central and northern counties, and the Northern and Eastern panhandles of West Virginia.

West Virginia joins more than 30 other states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in enacting such legislation. Starr stated recent statistics indicating that 16- and 17-year-olds contribute approximately 8% of annual Red Cross blood collections.

(From the Morgan Messenger)

Nexcare supports World Blood Donor Day!

That's right - Nexcare, maker of bandages, is supporting the World Blood Donor Day on June 14. At America's Blood Centers (ABC) across the US, they will be giving out special bandages to thank donors for their efforts. Donate next week, leading up to the day, and receive one of these pretty HIP bandages!

I even got to share my story on the Nexcare Website!

http://www.nexcaregive.com/2009/06/03/its-hip-2-give/

Are you a Guitar Hero?

When you donate blood, you can be someones life-saving hero. Now, you can be a Guitar Hero too!



That's right Virginia, you can be a Guitar Hero - here's how:

Register to donate blood at three convenient locations and you'll be entered to participate in our Guitar Hero competition. Enter and play by difficulty level.

First Place – A pre-order for your own personal gaming system the next version of Guitar Hero coming out in November 2009.
Second Place – Gift card to local electronic stores
Third Place – Movie tickets

Can’t donate, but still want to play? Just find someone to donate blood on your behalf.

Parents - donate blood and let your son or daughter compete.

Winners will be chosen by difficulty level: Medium, Hard and Expert.

Everyone who registers to donate will receive a free coupon to a local restaurant.

Contests will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. on June 29 at the following locations:

Virginia Center Commons Mall
Chesterfield Towne Center
Powhatan Moose Lodge in Powhatan

Just think, if your happy to win the Guitar Hero that is released in November, you'll probably have the hottest Christmas gift on the market. If you don't have a need for the Guitar Hero game, not to worry, we still have a need for your donation - save three lives (and win a Guitar Hero!)

From Share-a-thon to the Grave

Well, I haven't had the time to post personal pictures in a while - partially because I couldn't find the camera cable and partially because I just forget! Enjoy a couple photos from my recent travels and adventures in advocacy and volunteering (or just shear humor).

I have learned to laugh along the way and sometimes, complete irreverence to my sometimes precarious state is necessary just to get through the day. That, however, doesn't diminish the need or urgency for blood donors. Learning to laugh at yourself has a profound affect on one's outlook, and with a smile I intend to be an advocate, fighter, and a mom.

HIP Donor Technology!

So in this world of high speed technology and the world at our fingertips, finding donors just got one step easier!

As I am becoming more tech savvy myself, I entered the world of Twitter to empower others to donate (@hip2give if you twitter). I have found a wonderful network of blood banks across the United States and beyond our borders, but more importantly, I also came across Donor Dialogue. Donor Dialogue is partnering with many blood service organizations across the country by providing donor recruiting services through various applications, including a new Facebook application and via text message reminders. I am a FB "addict" of sorts. I have found it useful in reaching out not only to friends/family, but to educate and empower others on the ever present need for blood/platelet/marrow donors.

Hopefully, through increased blood center usage, more people will become life donors - in the meantime, see how this HIP company is changing the face of networking for blood donors! I have posted their logo in the right-hand column, visit them today and become a donor for life tomorrow!

Being Hip 2 Give just got a little more hip!