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I started donating blood at age 16 when I worked as a nursing assistant at a nursing home. Over all the decades since then, I’ve continued to donate regularly, and I’ve encouraged others to do the same.
Yet, with each donation, I never considered the fact that I might be the recipient of someone else’s blood someday.
Last week that changed when chemotherapy caused my hemoglobin to drop to 6.9. (Normal levels are usually 12-15.) I felt exhausted, a bit lightheaded, and my brain felt like it was in a fog. So, I had to go to the hospital and receive two units of blood. The transfusions went well, and by the next morning, I already felt better.
Why we need blood donations
According to the American Red Cross, people require 36,000 units of blood in the U.S. each day. The blood goes to patients who need it because of illness, accidents, or surgeries.
In my case, recent chemotherapy treatments affected my body’s ability to create new red blood cells. This becomes a problem because the red blood cells carry oxygen to all other cells of the body. Cancer patients may need blood transfusions for a variety of other reasons, too. You can read more about these transfusions in this excellent article from the American Cancer Society.
My Thanks
I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to the people who donated the blood I received. Since a person donates one unit of blood at a time, I know my blood came from two people, and I’ll never know their identities. Not only did these people help save my life, but they also helped me feel a lot better as I continue my cancer treatment.
I hope you’ll take the time to read these other blog posts I’ve shared over the years:
What It’s Really Like To Donate Blood
How To Organize A Successful Blood Drive
Will you do me a favor? If you’re medically able to donate blood and haven’t done so recently, would you make a call or go online and make an appointment now? You just might save a life!
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