Today on the blog please welcome back my fabulous author assistant Kate Tilton! Kate has been on the blog before with her article, The Balancing Act of Author Street Teams when we launched my street team The Bad Redheads. If you didn’t sign up then you can still join now!
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This topic is very close to my heart. From a rather young age I had wanted to donate blood, and finally when I was seventeen I was eligible to donate. I went through the screening process, made my donation, and headed back to class for the rest of the day. At that time I didn’t realize just how much of a difference that one donation could make. Now I know.
One donation could save up to three lives. My sister was one of those lives.
Years ago when my sister was younger, she went through a surgery procedure. She was sent home and was supposed to be fine — but she wasn’t. After experiencing much pain, my sister was brought back to the hospital. One of the things they gave her was blood.
Now I do not remember all the details of that week. I can’t tell you what went wrong or why my little sister needed blood. But she needed blood. Without the donations of complete strangers my sister might not have gotten the blood that she needed.
This is why I donate. For all of the sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives. To save a life if I can so no family has to worry about their loved one making it through without a blood transfusion because the blood bank ran out. For all those times when crisis comes and more are injured then then could ever be anticipated.
Donating blood regularly is important, here are a few factors to consider:
- Blood has a shelf life. If blood is not used in a certain amount of time it expires.
- Few people are eligible blood donors and even fewer actually donate. There are age and weight requirements, certain lifestyles that are at a higher risk for AIDS are not allowed to donate, and other factors can prevent people from being eligible.
- Even recently I went to donate and was turned down because my iron was too low. This has NEVER been a problem before. It just goes to show you how important it is to donate when and if you can!
- Many people do not understand how important this issue is. In other words, this isn’t something we see the news talking about regularly or that comes up in our day to day lives.
- There are different blood types. Without the proper blood type available, a patient will not be able to be treated.
For more information about blood donation (and blood types) check out the American Red Cross’s website.
About Kate Tilton:
Kate Tilton has been in love with books for as long as she can remember. Kate believes books saved her life and strives to repay authors for bringing books into the world by serving as a dependable author assistant. A cat-lover and fan of many geeky things, Kate can likely be found curled up with the latest Doctor Who episode, plotting world takeover, or assisting authors and readers in any way she can. Kate is also a self-proclaimed Twitter addict. You will find her hosting #K8chat, her own creation, every Thursday night on Twitter from 9-10pm Eastern.
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“My goal for the longest time has been to help authors. Make their life better because they make my life better. You are my rockstars.”
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Janie Junebug says
February 9, 2014 at 9:40 pmOne of the first times I donated blood, the technician told me that my blood was needed for a newborn baby. I was so happy I had agreed to donate. Every time I give blood, I think about the baby who needed my O negative.
Love,
Janie
Kate Tilton says
February 11, 2014 at 7:13 amIt is amazing to think that such a small thing could save someone’s life. I was told my blood could be used to treat newborns, a special group because many people who can donate carry something in their blood that while fine for adults can be dangerous to babies. I find the whole process to be amazing. Hopefully by the next blood drive my iron will be up and I’ll be able to donate again.
Tammy says
March 7, 2014 at 4:06 pmThanks for sharing your story. I need to get back in the blood donation habit, and this is the push I needed!
Kate Tilton says
March 9, 2014 at 9:04 pmYou have no idea how happy to hear that I am Tammy! Donating blood is such an important and needed service I am so honored to hear my little post was that push to get you back to donating. You save lives and it means the world to those people and their families.