During Friday's Relay For Life on the Rice County Fairgrounds about 30 people used the opportunity to give blood at the mobile bus provided by the American Red Cross.  I spoke briefly with one of the workers who noted they are truly in desperation mode for blood.  Their goal for our event was 70 donors, but he admitted that may have been a bit aggressive because the bus couldn't handle many donors at a time.  They were very pleased with the 30 figure.  I wasn't eligible because I gave less than 56 days previous.  38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood and less than 10 percent of us do it.  The number one reason given is a fear of needles and right up there is a lack of time.  It takes about an hour to complete the process.  That's why typically I give in the evening.  Usually at St. Michael's Church in Kenyon because their drives are generally on Mondays.  I have A+ type blood, the second most common among caucasians in the U.S.  About a third of Caucasian Americans have this blood type.  The most common is O+ at 37 percent of the population.  AB- is the rarest blood type.  O- is the universal blood and can be transfused to anybody.  Just 7 percent of people in the U.S. have O- blood.  Now in Minnesota you can give blood if you are 16 years of age if you have a parent's consent.  You must weigh at least 110 pounds.  Every two seconds in this country someone needs blood.  1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year and many of them need blood sometimes daily during their chemotherapy treatments.  It really doesn't take that much time as I noted earlier and the needle fear can be overcome by simply not watching them insert it.  Keep in mind your one donation can save up to three lives!  The life you save could be of a loved one in your life. It may even be your own.  Here are some upcoming blood donation opportunities in the KDHL listening area over the next several days.  Aug. 5 Northfield High School 1-7pm, Wednesday, Aug. 6 Family Video in Waseca Noon-6pm, St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls 1-7pm, Affinity Plus In Faribault 900 NW 4th St. 9-3, Friday, Aug. 8 Medford School 10-3, Saturday, Aug. 9, Paradise Center For Arts in Faribault 10-4, Tuesday, Aug. 12 First Baptist Church Waterville 1-7pm and Hope United Methodist Church in Faribault same time on Wednesday, Aug. 13.  Please give blood, it's badly needed!

 

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD!!!

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