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Always
needed
Off the
Wall
June 5,
2008
Name a liquid that not even the wealthiest individual
can purchase at a drug store. Can't do it? The answer to that
question would be "blood."
Now, I know there are people who will tell you that
just the mention of the word will make them feel squeamish, and
the sight of it may cause them to faint or feel sick.
But these very same people fail to realize that
their life sustaining fluid is what's keeping them alive, supplying
oxygen to their person and fighting off diseases all at the same
time.
If we didn't have this "gift of life"
flowing through our veins, capillaries and arteries, we would
be dead it's as simple as that.
Blood, as you know, is the lifeline of our existence.
It is a specialized bodily fluid that is composed of blood cells
suspended in liquid called blood plasma. Plasma, which comprises
55% of blood fluid, is mostly water (90% by volume), and contains
dissolved proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide
(plasma being the main medium for excretory product transportation),
platelets and blood cells themselves.
The most abundant cells in blood are red blood cells
which facilitates transportation of oxygen. White cells help
resist infections and parasites, and platelets are important
in the clotting of blood.
A number of years ago, my son was rushed to Excela
Health Latrobe Area Hospital bleeding internally. He had already
lost a large amount of blood and needed what he had lost. If
it wasn't for the American Red Cross and its valiant efforts
of holding blood drives, my son may not be around today to talk
about his ordeal.
Blood is in high demand. Daily it is needed and used in
operating rooms when patients require it in the process of surgery.
Accident victims often require supplementary blood to replace
what was lost during vehicular or other type collisions. And
third, it is needed for plateletpheresis. And what is that? It
is a special type of blood donation that allows blood to be drawn
and separated through a centrifuge so that a specific component
can be collected, in this case platelets the cells that
stop bleeding. Who needs platelets products? Those who suffer
from cancer, leukemia as well as bone marrow transplant patients
and patients with severe blood or bleeding disorders can be helped.
It may be somewhat of a wake-up call to realize that every
two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. 38,000
units of blood are in demand on any given day. In times of war
or disaster, that number increases. Just one pint of your blood
can help save the lives of several people, utilizing the whole
blood, plasma and platelets.
The American Red Cross is responsible for 50% of
the nation's blood supply. Last year, the Chestnut Ridge Chapter
conducted nearly 100 blood drives and collected more than 3,000
units of blood which helped up to 9,000 people.
After blood is collected from a donor, it is sent
to Johnstown and then to Philadelphia where it is tested and
separated.
The Chestnut Ridge Chapter supplies ALL of the Excela
Health System's blood supply. This includes Greensburg, Latrobe,
Frick and Jeanette hospitals.
Do you realize donating blood is very easy to do?
All one need to do is register, supply medical history, donate
and enjoy the snacks. The entire process takes about 45 minutes.
Persons 16 years of age and above in generally good
are eligible.
On Saturday, June 7, the Holy Name Society of Holy
Family Church, Latrobe, is sponsoring a blood drive at the American
Red Cross Chestnut Ridge Chapter House, 1816 Lincoln Ave., Latrobe,
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your participation is vital. Please come
and make this drive a very successful one! I'll be there to greet
you!!!
For additional information contact the American
Red Cross at 724-537-3911. To pre-register, call 1-800-GIVE-BLOOD.
Paul J. Volkmann
May 14, 2008
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