2008 Woodie Awards
Not enough blood to go around
Cate Spalo/ Online Reporter
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Writers Outlet
We've all heard that one unit of blood can save three lives. One might assume that would be enough motivation enough for people to donate blood.
However, only five percent of people that are eligible to donate blood actually do. This statistic is so shocking because the number of blood transfusions needed increases by nine percent annually. And statistics also show that twenty-five percent of us will require a blood at some point in our lives.
How can we help to change these statistics; the answer is simple, we need to start donating blood.
You see the signs everywhere that say "Blood Donation This Way". But how many of us actually take the time out of our busy schedules to have a procedure done that takes fifteen minutes. There are many reasons why people choose to not donate blood. It may be that they aren't eligible to donate or fear keeps people from donating.
The biggest fear for many people when it comes to donating blood is the needle. That needle is the only thing that keeps many people from donating blood.
Almost anyone can donate blood. The criteria for donating blood in the state of Illinois are as follows: The person donating blood must be at least seventeen-they can be sixteen but need parental consent, must generally be in good health, pass the physical and medical history examinations and the donator must be at least 110 pounds.
Although there must be an element of fear when donating blood, people just need to get over it. It's worth the temporary pain of donating blood because in the end you save at least three lives.
However, only five percent of people that are eligible to donate blood actually do. This statistic is so shocking because the number of blood transfusions needed increases by nine percent annually. And statistics also show that twenty-five percent of us will require a blood at some point in our lives.
How can we help to change these statistics; the answer is simple, we need to start donating blood.
You see the signs everywhere that say "Blood Donation This Way". But how many of us actually take the time out of our busy schedules to have a procedure done that takes fifteen minutes. There are many reasons why people choose to not donate blood. It may be that they aren't eligible to donate or fear keeps people from donating.
The biggest fear for many people when it comes to donating blood is the needle. That needle is the only thing that keeps many people from donating blood.
Almost anyone can donate blood. The criteria for donating blood in the state of Illinois are as follows: The person donating blood must be at least seventeen-they can be sixteen but need parental consent, must generally be in good health, pass the physical and medical history examinations and the donator must be at least 110 pounds.
Although there must be an element of fear when donating blood, people just need to get over it. It's worth the temporary pain of donating blood because in the end you save at least three lives.
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Amanda
posted 2/29/08 @ 12:13 AM CST
I gave blood for the first time last semester. The needle really was not as bad as I thought it would be. One hour of my day and a little poke in my arm saved three lives, which was well worth it. (Continued…)
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