Can I get paid for that?

So many people ask if you can get paid to donate and of course, how much. Seems many people today expect something in order to give something.

Are there blood banks or plasma centers that will pay you to donate? Likely, you will find a few. However, you should be aware that the majority of hospitals and emergency response/disaster relief teams, will NOT accept blood from centers that pay donors.

There are several thought processes to this - primarily, those that donate only if there is a payoff, are not donating for the right reasons and are likely to lead a higher risk lifestyle.

When you are admitted to the hospital in an emergency do you have the time to worry about where the blood supply is coming from? If the donors are high-risk? NO - you do not have the time to worry about where it came from; you need to trust your provider and where they obtain the blood supply from.

Certified blood centers that have long-term contracts with your local hospitals and relief teams are providing properly screened blood supplies and that can not be guaranteed from centers that pay donors.

Donating blood is a selfless act of kindness for others and the biggest payoff that you could ever receive is knowing that you saved a life. There is no value that can be placed on that gift.

Alpine Fun!

There are opportunities in life that we are blessed with that grant us the ability to learn, grow and share. The last two days have been just that.

As Mrs. Virginia International, I was invited to attend the Alpine Championship Event for the Special Olympics of Virginia (SOVA). I had heard from former Mrs. Virginia Internationals that this was a highlight of their reign, so I was looking forward to the event and meeting the athletes. Not to mention it was an opportunity for a two-day getaway with the family at the Wintergreen Ski Resort.

The two days were nothing short of amazing. When we arrived, Lexi and I were greeted with smiles and were able to check into a quaint condo that included a fireplace that we certainly enjoyed.

Our first event was the opening ceremony. The athletes gladly took their oath, sang the national anthem and listened to a myriad of speakers that included a brief appreciation ceremony for 32 years of service from Wintergreen. Sadly, this year is the last Alpine event for Virginia. I had the honor and privilege of introducing the torch bearer as he skied in!

After the opening ceremonies, we shared some laughter, fun, and dancing at the luau. It was two hours of shear joy! I found myself dancing among the best and lexi even shared a game of beach-ball tossing with the athletes.

Earlier in the day our condo experienced a little power-outage, which was simply an excuse to enjoy the fireplace and test our fire-making skills. Needless to say, it took me a book of matches and a lot of skill!

The following day found us enjoying a little tubing and a great breakfast by the slopes. We watched the athletes push off to their races and finish in medal form.

I was blessed to give each athlete their medal and I can say that they each felt like a winner and knew that they were number 1 - I do not have the talent to ski so I truly appreciate all of their effort and know that they are dedicated to doing their best.

This was a true honor that I will surely never forget. The athletes have more heart, determination, and spirit than anyone I know. Enjoy a few photos from an amazing experience!

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Shortages Continue

The headlines are coming in from all over the US, Canada and abroad.

"Blood supply levels are alarmingly low...."
"Critical levels at local blood bank...."
"Immediate need for all blood types...."
"Not enough blood supply for area hospitals...."

There are many ways to phrase the statement but the end result is the same. Many blood banks and hospitals are in critical need of blood donations. Inclement weather, the bitter cold, and short days truly impact the nations blood supply.

Think of those that most need blood transfusions: heart surgeries, premature babies, organ transplants, cancer patients and list goes on. This could be your mother, spouse, friend, child, or neighbor - it could be someone you don't know. Regardless, there is a need that never goes away but does become more prevalent during the winter months.

Please take the time to visit www.americasblood.org or www.redcrossblood.org to find a donor site near you and donate blood today. Many lives are depending upon others in order to live and the rarest type of blood is the one that's not on the shelf.

Sunday Morning Virginia!

About a week or so ago I was asked to partake in the WTVR-CBS 6 Sunday Morning show with Marly Fausz from Virginia Blood Services to celebrate National Blood Donor Month. Of course I eagerly agreed to do the show, THEN realized that I had to be in Richmond at 7:15am on the Sunday morning after Miss America. I must have forgotten my medicine that day!

Watching Miss America is a tradition in my house and it's telephones off, notepads out and silence while I keep score to see if "my girl" will bring home the crown. Miss Virginia did make it to the top ten and Miss Nebraska brought home the crown around 11pm EST and this Mrs. Virginia International was wired beyond belief. It's exciting to watch and yes I stayed up too late knowing that I had to be up at 4:15am and out the door by 5:15am for my long drive. That being said, I never actually slept but by the time I arrived at the studio, I was in good spirits and felt my second wind kick in just when I needed it too. Good thing, because they were having fun on the show!

We conducted two interviews. The live interview shoot which highlighted my story, VBS, and encouraging individuals to donate or advocate for the cause. The second interview was taped in the actual news room and will air in the evening news hour. I did happen to catch the meteorologist giving the forecast, I have to say that I don't think I could point to obscurity and look in the opposite direction with such accuracy. I was impressed.

Unfortunately, I received notice late on Saturday evening that Marly was sick and wouldn't be able to join me for this interview, but I was glad that she still wanted me to go and be a voice for the need.

This is my third visit with WTVR-CBS 6 and they are always a lot of fun and I promise to come back and you never know, you could just see me behind the news desk one day!


Brightest blessings,

Rebecca

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Flexibility: A Key to Success

Today was supposed to a day filled with the radio singing a merry tune and the tires on my truck traveling over the mountain and through the woods to Ohio. Old Man Winter had a different plan in mind!

The weather reports had been streaming in all weekend that we were supposed to have snow and sleet on Tuesday and it would be done by the evening. Well, as predictability goes, that wasn't quite the case. Our bad weather didn't start until late on Tuesday making for an icy evening leading to schools closing early. With plans to leave early Wednesday morning for Ohio, I knew it was going to be a "morning call" issue.

Well as I arose this morning, it was slick roads covered in snow, Lexi didn't have school and my destination point was getting blanketed in snow and would be for a better part of the day.

Because it's National Blood Donor Month, I was going to be speaking at INCEPT on Thursday in Canton, Ohio. Alas, the weather had other plans for me today and I just wasn't able to travel.

Disappointed? Yes, I am. However, I decided that being flexible is best and in this case, it was really out of my hands. Having a great relationship with my friends at INCEPT, I know that we will be able to reschedule and have just as much fun.

Today's lesson - be flexible in life and know that sometimes, there just isn't anything we can do but go with the flow.

A Day of Resolutions

Today is the Resolution Blood Drive with Virginia Blood Services! I had the pleasure of attending this morning and was able to thank donors directly along with taking part in several on-air interviews with WTVR-CBS 6.

Jessica with CBS 6 was also a part of the interview I did in November on "Virginia This Morning", at that time she had asked me could she please wear the crown but we just didn't have enough time to let her try it on. So, lucky for her, we had plenty of time today, and she got to try it on and I may have even convinced her to compete for the crown in the next year!!

Even amongst all the fun, we were able to encourge and invite more individuals to come donate blood - especially with inclement weather in the works for tomorrow, TODAY is the perfect day to start that New Year's Resolution to save lives!

Joining the donors are several media outlets including CBS 6, 103.7 The River, Hot 100.9, K99.5 and several other stations - reaching everyone in the Richmond area is crucial to ensure that there is enough supply on hand.

Here are a few fun photos from the day and if you are in Richmond, the drive is on-going until 7pm this evening!

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National Blood Donor Month

It's January and you know that means it's also National Blood Donor Month. The need for donors never goes away, but this is a nice time to recognize those that do donate and save lives.

January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month for over forty years (since 1970). Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to holiday travel schedules, inclement weather and illness and January in particular is a difficult month for blood center blood donations. But according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, if donations are down, the need for blood isn't.

"Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, and approximately 40,000 units of red blood are needed every day," said Murphy. "Donating blood is a safe, life-saving and selfless gift that enhances the level of preparedness for each and every community in this nation."

Few blood centers can maintain more than a three-day supply of blood for transfusions. The need for blood, platelets, and plasma is constant, but only three in every 100 Americans donate blood. So-called "baby boomers" account for a fair amount of blood donations, but as a demographic are approaching an age when medications and health issues bar them from being able to donate. At the same time, they are the largest age cohort of the world population and require more donated blood for their own health, quickly using much of the supply they once supported themselves. (Excerpt of FEMA Press Release R10-11-001)

It is imperative that through inclement weather, holidays and hard economic times that we continue to donate as this need never takes a day off. While most blood centers have low supplies for the holidays, January and February are notorious for being low donor months primarily due to weather.

Check your local blood banks - or the links at the right - to find a drive in your area. Many will be offering promotions and chances for great prizes during the month. While I'd like to think you don't need a prize to donate, it's a nice incentive to have!

Many lives, including mine, are in the hands of blood donors. Be one today!

Snow Angels!

A fun and festive pageant is always a great way to start the new year off just right! In mid-December I volunteered to emcee the Snow Angel Pageant that was being held in Front Royal, VA. Little did we know that mother nature would cause the pageant to be postponed thus making it the first one of the new year.

It was a fun day that I was able to enjoy with familiar faces, new friends, and even Lexi was along with a friend. The contestants participated in beauty competition along with a festive "Christmas Wear" segment. We saw everything from wrapped presents to dressy stockings as costumes, it was certainly fun for all! Enjoy the few photos I managed to get, it was busy but a great time!

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It's a New Year!

Amazing how quickly a year flies by when you are doing what you love! 2011 is here and will present new adventures and opportunities to each of us.

If you haven't done so in the past, let this year be your year to bless someone else with the gift of life through blood donation. In the coming months you'll find me all over the map and perhaps, right where you are. The need for blood donors knows no calendar, knows no age, knows no geography and certainly never goes away. I will continue to encourage you to donate and if you can't, be an advocate for those that can.

I wish each of you the best as you embark upon your new year and hope that it is your best year and filled with love, laughter and dreams come true.