Giving is good. As the giver it makes you feel good. It makes the recipient of your gift also feel good.
Nothing feels better than giving a gift that can save someone's life. Especially when that gift is given without knowing who the beneficiary will be. You just know it is going to help someone in a big way.
That is what donating blood is all about. Mineral Wells Rotarians on Wednesday heard from Colleen Horan, field recruitment consultant for Carter Blood Care, on the importance of, and the need for, blood donations. She is pictured above on the left, with club President Dianne Templar.
Colleen said Carter Blood Care, formed by a merger in 1998, is the largest blood program in Texas and among the largest in the U.S., with annual blood distribution exceeding 300,000 products. She said Carter Blood Care serves over 50 counties in North Central and Northeast Texas, with 300 medical facilities served including Palo Pinto General Hospital.
While not everyone is eligible to give blood, more than 30 percent of the U.S. population is eligible. However, said Colleen, just 3% of Americans give blood. She said every 2 seconds someone needs blood, and that 1-in-7 people entering a hospital will need blood. She said summer months are times when blood donations typically slow.
She noted that children and infants undergoing heart surgery or cancer treatment require blood from donors of all types, especially Type O. Forty-seven percent of the U.S. population have either O-positive or O-negative type blood, including 9% who have O-negative blood, which makes them universal donors.
Blood transfusions are needed in 1-of-83 childbirths, Colleen said.
She said Carter Blood Care is part of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), a coalition of blood centers across the U.S. That work together to supply critical blood supplies during emergencies and disasters.
Rotary Clubs support blood donations, often through friendly challenges between clubs or Rotary districts. Rotarians who donate blood are able to have that donation credited toward the club.
There are four more Mineral Wells community blood drives scheduled in 2023 – Monday, May 1; Monday, July 3; Tuesday, Sept. 5; and Monday, Nov. 6. They take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. At Palo Pinto General Hospital, and 3-7 p.m. At Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
The Palo Pinto Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a drive on May 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Palo Pinto County Agriculture Extension Office in Palo Pinto. Palo Pinto County Employees are also hosting a blood drive on May 10, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., also at the Ag Extension Office.
You can contact Carter Blood Care and host your own blood drive.
Take the time to donate and give a most special gift – the gift of life.
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Southside Church of Christ. Lunches are catered by Sadie's Eats. To learn more about becoming a Rotarian visit mineralwellsrotary.org.