Critically Low Levels

Colorado, Okalahoma, and many other states hit recently by bad winter weather are experiencing critically low levels of blood supplies.

Columbus, Georgia is reporting less than ONE day supply at it's American Red Cross location and in January they are enticing donors with 2 FREE tickets on Delta Airlines.

Do blood banks/centers really need to entice people with giveaways or prizes in order to save lives? I would like to think not, however, it's apparent that with such critically low levels across the United States, we need donors and we need them now.

Winter is a typically slow time for donors, however, with recent weather episodes and more bad weather on the horizon, it's likely that some facilities may reach a near empty state. I implore each of you to take an hour of your time to donate and save 2 lives.

I should also note that this isn't just restricted to the US at this time, South Africa is reporting unusally low levels along with several other Europeon countries.

Looking forward to a New Year with "It's Hip 2 Give"

A new year is upon all of us and as always, we make personal resolutions and set new goals. For "It's Hip 2 Give" the goal remains the same - to connect donors to the lives that they save and to encourage, engage, and educate individuals/communities to donate.

It's a mouthfull to say but I continue to be passionate about the need for donors. Afterall, each day I have is a direct result of the gift I have been given. In the coming months there will be many activities, blood drives, legislative events, and more that I will be participating in, but most importantly, I want to continue reaching out to those that save lives.

January is National Blood Donor Month, so be sure to look for updates and info coming soon on what you can do to help (besides donating!). I will be speaking in January, by invitation of the American Red Cross (Chesapeake Chapter) at a Kiwanis event and will be showing my appreciation at several more blood drives.

Lots of exciting things on the horizon for 2010, including the opening of a new blood bank in Wilmington - and I will be present at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

When you make your New Years' Resolution this week, perhaps you could include saving lives on your list. It takes about an hour to save 2 lives, I am certain that you can find the time to donate this coming year!

Bright wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year - may all your goals be attainable and your dreams be big!

A United American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is the leader in collecting blood donations and now, donors will have an easier time finding information on donation locations.

As of December 16, the American Red Cross has a united website www.redcrossblood.org instead of different sites per region. This will allow donors to educate themselves on the process, find local centers/donor sites, or even sign up to host a blood drive themselves.

You can also learn more about all that the American Red Cross does by visiting www.redcross.org which will also link you to the blood donor site. Take a few moments to find a blood drive near you and save a life!

On the Eve of Christmas

With each Christmas, I am always reminiscent of days gone by and memories from when Santa was a true sparkle in my eye. With memories of rushing into the living room to see what treats Santa brought to attending midnight mass and enjoying each carol with a new found appreciation; I enjoy each moment of the Christmas season because it offers true hope for brighter days.

As I go about my day, the Christmas music rings through the house and the cookies are in the oven, I look back at the year that I've had - the laughter, the tears, the challenges and the triumphs. This year, has been a particularly difficult year and as Christmas brings us to the close of the year, I am looking forward to the next. In this year I have been tested and tried on almost every level and with each challenge I have gotten back up and dusted myself off ready to take on what comes next.

I am so grateful for a loving family and blessed with a delightful daughter. Blessings come with many learning opportunities and teaching moments. This year, my personal learning opportunity has been that of forgiveness. To forgive others and myself - the reasons need not matter, but the ability to forgive matters greatly.

"The test of whether we have forgiven someone is not whether we remember the incident, but in the attitudes and behaviors we exhibit. We know we have forgiven someone when we are no longer controlled by the pain. Forgiving is better than forgetting - But God does both."

So as I wake up and offer gratitude and appreciation to experience another beautiful Christmas, I do my best to forgive those things that will hamper the future and release the pain of the past. After all, through the joy and pain of life we are led to where we are meant to be - even if, in that moment, we don't realize it.

Whether the pain is personal, public, or for some - unmentionable - there does come a time to work through it and let it go..thanks to great friends and new beginnings...it is possible.

I am grateful for another Christmas season and look forward to many more. I certainly wish each of you bright blessings for a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.

What is Blood?

What is Blood? Seems like a simple question, but truthfully, there are many out there that may not understand the different components of blood and what they do. Here's a quick overview of blood is and how it helps you survive.

Blood cells are produced in bone marrow. Red cells, white cells and platelets are made in the marrow of bones, especially the vertebrae, ribs, hips, skull and sternum. These essential blood cells fight infection, carry oxygen and help control bleeding.

Plasma Carries Blood Cells - Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts. One of the functions of plasma is to act as a carrier for blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones.

Red Blood Cells Deliver Oxygen - Red cells are disc-shaped cells containing hemoglobin, which enables the cells to pick up and deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. (Pictured at Left)

White Cells Defend The Body - White cells are the body's primary defense against infection. They can move out of the blood stream and reach tissues being invaded.

Platelets Help Control Bleeding - Platelets are small cells in the blood that control bleeding. They form clusters to plug small holes in blood vessels and assist in the clotting process.

You can choose to donate whole blood (all parts of the blood) or through a process called pheresis. Pheresis is a type of blood donation in which the donor gives only certain blood components, like red blood cells, platelets or plasma. This form of donation takes a little longer as the blood is cycled through the body as the appropriate portions are removed and replaced.

It's winter and the weather is frightful, but it's so delightful to give the gift of life! Give the gift of life this Christmas!

It's Snowing But We Still Need Donors!

Yes that's right folks - even with the predicted snowfall in my area to top over 20", the need for blood donors is still critical.

It is in moments of inclement weather and natural disasters that the blood supply on the shelves will be depleted quickly and in this case, donors will be scarce because of impassable roads.

This is just another real-time demonstration as to the need for blood donors. With the ability to donate every 56 days, we should never have such critically low supplies. If only 1% more Americans would donate, our supplies would be adequate - only 1% - seems like an insignificant number, until YOU need the gift of life from a donor.

One of Virginia's Own

Innovative technology and industry leading dedication, Immucor Inc., has a new leader on board and he hails from Virginia.

Immucor, Inc., is a global in vitro diagnostics company specializing in the area of pre-transfusion diagnostics. They develop, manufacture, and sell products used by hospital blood banks, clinical laboratories, and blood donor centers to detect and identify certain properties of human blood prior to patient transfusion. Immucor, Inc., has revolutionized the industry through a unique dedication to automating manual processes in the blood bank laboratory.

FROM The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 16, 2009; 4:46 PM

NORCROSS, Ga. -- Immucor Inc., which makes products used in blood transfusions, said Wednesday it named Dr. Paul D. Mintz to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1.

Mintz is a tenured professor of pathology and medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He also serves as director of the University of Virginia Health System's Clinical Laboratories and Transfusion Medicine Services as well as chief of the department of pathology's division of clinical pathology.

This is such exciting news for the industry, not to mention I am a proud Virginian and glad to have such a admirable individual on the Board of Directors. Dr. Mintz will certainly be a patient/donor advocate and fully understands the need for donors and for patients to have healthy transfusions.