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.