Here is a speech I gave this past semester about blood donation if you would like to read it. I made a couple of adjustments to make it more relevant and correct. Its pretty long, but it explains the need for blood, the benefits of giving, and just how safe and simple it really it. It also tells a large part of why I personally give. It was a typical Sunday afternoon. My family and I were watching National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets when the phone rang. My dad answered and a few minutes later he returned, looking worried. We paused the movie and he told us it was his mother who had called. His father, my grandpa, had been shot. They had been visiting some relatives, looking at guns, and the one my grandpa had been looking at went off in his hand. The way he was sitting, the bullet went in and out of his leg twice, leaving four holes and severing a major artery. He was in critical condition and they didn’t know whether or not he would live. My dad drove all night to get to the hospital where he was at. Later, we found out that my grandpa was going to make it. He is alive today for two reasons. The first is that the relatives they had been visiting lived near a hospital. Had he been at his own house, he wouldn’t have gotten the medical attention he needed in time. And the second is that about thirteen people took an hour or so out of their lives to donate blood. Today we will look at need for blood donation, why it is a simple and safe way to make a difference, and how it benefits not only recipients, but donors as well. First, there is a great need for blood donation in our world today. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States alone needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. That’s over 40,000 donations a day. Cancer patients, premature babies, car accident victims, and numerous others depend on the donation of blood from other for their very survival. Often times, there is a specific component they need to recover such as platelets or plasma. Blood donation centers allow donors to give these just these components, but the most common form of donation is whole blood, which can later be separated into these different components. Today when I speak of blood donation, I will primarily be referring to whole blood donation since it is the most common, although all donations are wonderful. Right now, blood is the only replacement for blood. There is no other alternative. Thus, there is a vital need for blood donors. Additionally, blood can only be stored for a limited time before it must be disposed of, so it is a constant need. The Miller Keystone Blood Center states that of the 40% of US citizens who are eligible to donate blood, only about 5% do. I found from my class survey that only two students in my class give two or more times a year. Personally, I’ve given twelve times since I was sixteen when I reached the minimum age to donate. I give almost as often as I possibly can, but even giving just once or twice a year makes a difference. As we have seen, there is a great need for blood in our society. Fortunately, donating blood is not hard to do, and it puts the safety of both donors and recipients first. Many people do not give because they don’t know when or even where they can give. However, a large number of cities have a blood donation center. Blood Assurance, the most common agency in this area, has fourteen locations in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia. In fact, there is one in Ft. Oglethorpe, right beside Sears Shoe Store. Not only is blood donation convenient, it is quick. In all, the entire process typically lasts no more than an hour. The actual donation itself lasts about ten minutes. If you give whole blood as often as you possibly can, you’ll just be spending 6 hours out of your entire year. Think about how long you spend watching television and using social media each day. A big concern for a lot of people is the needle prick, but that part is the shortest, lasting only a mere second. The great thing about blood donation is that it’s free. That’s a great word, isnt it? Other charities often push monetary donations, but there is no pressure from blood donation agencies. However, monetary donations are welcome and they provide an alternative way for those unable to give blood to donate. Another pro of giving blood is that it is not labor intensive. You sit through the entire process, and you can watch television, talk with friends, Facebook, Instagram, or anything you might typically do in your spare time. And lastly, blood donation is safe. For one, the FDA regulates all blood donation centers in the United States. If a blood donation center does not meet the strict standards set by the FDA, it is shut down. For instance, the FDA requires that blood donation centers use sterile single-use needles and centers must perform a series of tests for infectious diseases to ensure its safety for the recipient. If any test comes back positive, the donor is informed for their well-being. It is virtually impossible to contract a disease from giving blood. Additionally, you can only give whole blood every 8 weeks (up to 6 times a year) to ensure your blood supply has been completely replenished. As a further safety measure, each donor must complete a screening to ensure his or her ability to donate. It questions things such as the donor’s medical and travel history. Donors can be permanently deferred if it is determined their blood is unsafe for use. Side effects of giving can include dizziness, bruising, and fainting, but these are all very temporary and pass soon after the blood donation. According to the National Health Services in the UK, more serious side effects that require medical attention only occur in less than 1 out of 3,500 cases. Donor Phlebotomists are well-trained to do their job. Explore Health Careers Online says they must have a high school diploma and complete a training program before entering the field. In addition, most employers require successfully passing a certification exam. To maintain certification, continuing education is mandatory. Not only is blood donation an incredible way to make a difference, it provides the donor with benefits. For instance, with each donation, you receive a t-shirt. You are also provided with a large variety of snacks and beverages, such as Swiss cake rolls, crackers, gummies, sodas and water, that you can have before and after your donation. Not to mention that giving blood is good for your health. Lizette Borelli, a senior reporter at Medical Daily describes in her article, “Why Donating Blood Is Good For Your Health,” just how beneficial giving blood can be for your wellbeing. She says “You can reduce your blood viscosity by donating blood on a regular basis which eliminates the iron that may possibly oxidize in your blood.” Basically, this reduction of blood viscosity helps maintain good cardiovascular health. She continues that donating blood can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even cancer. But I believe the most important personal benefit is that you simply “feel good when you do good,” as the saying goes. To conclude, there is a great need for blood donation. Fortunately, the process is easy and safe and it can be very rewarding for donors. Throughout his life, my grandfather has been a strong believer in donating blood. He gave over 100 times when he was eligible to donate in his life. He never thought that someday he would be on the other side. The truth is, none of us know when it could be us on the other side. So I want to encourage you today to make a difference. You don’t have to be a doctor to save lives.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 04:01:52 +0000