Give Life
“When you give blood you give the gift of life, what better gift can you give?” –Michelle (michie), commented on Fundraising Tips
To give life to somone in need is one of the greatest demonstrations of love. Unfortunately, there is a great need for blood and organ donations and not enough people willing to give life to those whose lives depend on another’s single act of altruism. The American Red Cross reports there is a serious shortage of blood supply, blood products, organs, and tissues. Every minute someone needs blood, yet sadly only 3 donors out of 100 people give blood.
This year thousand of patients will die waiting for either blood or an organ donor. The urgency of this need is hard to swallow:
- As of this posting – 101,765 people need organs, but only 10,000 patients will be given life, as reported by The United Network for Organ Sharing
- The wait time for a donor kidney is 12 years; every year 4,000 patients die waiting, as reported by PhilanthropyRoundtable.org
- Thousands more will die this year
The mortality rate continues to grow every year as the waiting list increases, therefore it ‘s imperative to give life to people in need as we see this rate climb.
These deaths are avoidable and it’s outright disgusting that patients are denied life because of social apathy; and because people are not willing to give life and sign their donor cards.
We must give credit to those who do give; but it seems that too many of us still have a general lack of regard for the needs of others. As one of our Recipient members pointed out:
“They [people] won’t help an elderly person cross the street, they won’t offer assistance to someone in need because “they don’t want to get involved”, or it’s “not their place to interfere”, or they don’t have time. They refuse to donate to the family who just lost everything in a house fire or tornado because they have worked hard for their money, and no one helped them when their basement flooded!” -Keryl, commented on End Global Poverty
It seems as though many of us just don’t care. We need to revolutionize our way of thinking. We need to change our attitude towards giving life, or just helping the basic needs of people. The most empowering thing you will ever do in life is give life and help someone in need.
So just how can you give life to someone in need?
- Learn more about how to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor
- Find a blood drive
- Give blood, give life
- Be aware of this growing need and join advocacy groups that promote awareness
- Register to be an organ donor with your state and if possible download an Organ Donor Registration Form off the web from your state Healthcare Administration and send it to your email contacts. Encourage your friends and family to check out this post and learn more about the gravity of this need
So what are your thoughts on this post?
- Do you know of anyone who has ever needed blood or an organ transplant?
- Have you ever donated blood to give life to someone in need? If so, what was your experience and how did it make you feel?
- Are you a registered organ donor? Do you know someone who is?
28. April 2009 at 7:24 pm :
First, I would like to say, ” get involved.” Can you imagine what this world would be like if people don’t donate. Take time and save a life and give blood. My husband and I both have blood accounts. Just incase our family is in need. When you do donate blood, they always give a free gift. The nurses are very nice.
If you haven’t been in a hurricane or tornado, your lucky. People lose everything. It is sad. Take time out and clean your attic, if your not using it, lose it. A person that lost everything sure could use it. They are starting from scratch with nothing. Our children lost their toys. The older kids lost their playstations. Can you imagine what it is like to live with a teenager without their electronics. Or an adult without their coffee maker or coffe muggs. Furniture is in pieces. Everything a person work so hard for is in water and mud. Trees had stood for a century torn and shredded.
Take time out and save a life, rather it be materials or blood. When a person is in need, there is no measurement on importance. It is all important. Try putting yourself in their shoes, maybe, that will help.
28. April 2009 at 11:53 pm :
As a person who used to donate blood as often as possible, I can’t tell you what a reward it is, and how much it means to others! Because of having Systemic Lupus and newly dx’d Pulmonary Fibrosis, I am no longer able to give the gift of blood, and possibly the gift of life
through organ donations.
This really made me feel, well kind of lost, I enjoyed knowing I was helping someone, maybe even helping to save a life. To now know
that I can’t, it proves to me just another hurdle in life.
My brother who was often called to give blood, as his type is rare, can no longer give that gift either, as choices he’s made in life no longer allow.
I cat not encourage young people enough, to get involved, choose to be heard, when it comes to donating!!! Our Daughter who has tried to donate twice in the past after turning 17, hasn’t been able to yet, as her blood iron was to low. She is now looking forward to the day when she can walk into a donation center and say… “I want to donate”.
This is very dear to her, and I too, look forward to it for her.
There is no better feeling then to know that you helped save a life!!
My cousin Bobby, was 20 when he died. It was such a shock knowing that he died, but even more that his death, saved many lives. You see
Bobby’s skin was used for graphing for soliders over in Iraq, Afaganistan, and other Middle East areas. His eyes went to a solider who has stepped on a land mine. His liver went to a young motorcycle accident victim. His lungs went to two different people who were both on a transplant list.
PLEASE GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!! YOU WILL REAP IN IT’S REWARDS.
29. April 2009 at 3:03 am :
Michie is right about giving blood. I have given blood the whole 171/2 years I worked for the gov. I have not worked in 15 yrs. So I kind of got away from during it. When I read Michie comment. It motivated me to want to give again!!! I live close to one of the Red Cross station. I will be giving blood again. I going this weekend. Back in 1975 I almost died during chirldbirth . And they had to give me blood for at least 8 or 9 days. I realized how important it is, And that is why i gave blood all those years. That is my way of thanking those who helped me. It does saves lifes. God Blesses!!!!!
29. April 2009 at 3:08 am :
Forgot to add this in my comments. Sherrie, don’t feel lost because God knows your heart and that all that matter. If you can’t give blood remember we all need your prayers. Stay sweet and live. God Blesses you!!!!!
29. April 2009 at 3:11 am :
A local movie theater in my city offers free movie tickets to people who donate blood. It’s fantastic to see businesses partner up for the greater good.
29. April 2009 at 3:12 am :
Christy: “When a person is in need, there is no measurement on importance. It is all important.”
…AMEN
29. April 2009 at 3:16 am :
And Sherri you are right about the organ gift. My brother Frank got a kidney transplant about 4 years ago. He had go get on the machine three days a week to clean his blood on the kidney machine. He got a young 13 yrs old kidney now. They didn’t take his out , he got three kidneys. I guess they didn’t know if the 13 yrs old was going to work. Now he don’t have to go get on the kidney machine anymore. But it did leave him a biabetic but he can take the shots . He said he feel a lots better now. We still praying for him. So if he hadn’t gotten the kidney transplant he would have died!!! It is important to give the gift of life!!!!!
29. April 2009 at 3:48 am :
I am a register blood donor. They gave a Red Cross card to carry around with me . And it let anybody know what type of blood I have. When I used to give blood , it made me feel good because I could be saving someone life like they did mine.
29. April 2009 at 12:36 pm :
On my driver’s licenes, It states that I’m organ donor. This is a good thing!
I want to share something with my new family. This is hard for me. My girlfriend died last May 23, 2008. Her name was Theresa Renee McVety, who we call Tess. She died in a car accident. I lost through a blink of an eye in a car accident.
She was an orgen donor. She donated her eyes and liver. Her mother received two letters from the program. The letters came with names for the people she helped. A person regained her eye sight, and Tess’s liver saved a life. Wasn’t that neat.
At the wake, we had two ballons representing the organs she donated. They floated in the air with hope and sorrow. It’s a good thing for people to donate their organs. It sad when we lose our loved ones, but it’s nice to know there’s a piece of them still here.
As I’m crying, Tess, I want to tell you that I love you and miss you. I’m proud that you donated your organs. This site gave the world a chance to introduce you.
29. April 2009 at 1:58 pm :
My mother in law had a kidney transplant she lived 7 more years until liver cancer took her life. My husband has a friend who’s blood pressure went to high and was left untreated for so long he is now on dialysis and awaiting a kidney transplant. We have all been tested but nothing. Why would you not give someone a piece of you that they can’t live without. I sickens me to see that people would actually be out there charging and selling organs on the black market when if people would open their eyes and hearts and sign the organ donor spot of their drivers license. Give blood what is 15 minutes once ever 8 weeks compared to the life of a child. If you are o neg. they seperate your blood into 5 bags do you know why? Its because your blood is special and it will go to save the lives of 5 innocent babies. Giving blood really does make you feel good. Its the gift that keeps on giving. Its the gift that has the kid next door running and playing again, the man three streets over recovering from surgery is so thankful. Think about it and give blood, sign the organ donation card. Do it for yourself and for the lives you will save.
29. April 2009 at 2:10 pm :
Also I wanted to add you know those people out there going to work every day to keep up safe the firemen, police, army, navy, marines. They need you to give blood. The fire men put their lives on the line everyday and could you ever imagine someone saying I’m sorry we have to let this one die bacause we don’t have the blood to save him? How horrible would that be? Or the policemen? My brother in law was a police officer shot 5 times, he almost died. Thank God they had bood for him. It was months before we knew he would be ok but he made it. Some guy walked into the police station and just opened fire. My brother in law way hit 5 times. He has 2 wonderful kids and my sister who is a beautiful loving wife. They never left his side and they thought they were losing their whole world but thanks to blood donors and awesome doctors he lived. He still has problems from the shooting but last may he was able to accept the Top Cop Award in Washington DC and we were all there to cheer him on. Don’t think your blood donation doesn’t matter. The blood he go mattered to all of us. I was nine when he married my sister this man saved my life once. My family loves him so much we slept on the floor at Charity hospital in New Orleans for months while he was in a coma and in and out of surgery. Your blood donations matter and they not only save lives they save families.
29. April 2009 at 2:29 pm :
Michelle (michie) That was a beautiful ending!!! I am a shedding tears!!! Glad it work out alright for you and your family!!! God Blesses!!!!
29. April 2009 at 2:32 pm :
And Christy (Brook’s mom) God is able. Sounds like you and your friend had a beautiful relationship!!! I know you misses her and she is now in God hands. Pray for her and go on and tell her story. That what she wants you to do. God Blesses!!!
29. April 2009 at 7:33 pm :
Thanks for sharing that story Michelle!!!
30. April 2009 at 12:03 am :
This is what I mean about ” Were one big family now.” You guys are great!
30. April 2009 at 2:38 am :
WONDERFUL TOPIC
I wish if every one could sign up to be a organ donor, But unfortunately we have to respect other people religous beleif. Since my accident my dad and family are regular blood donor, I have also learnt how important it is to donate blood because the blood you give today may save a life tomorrow.
Giving or donating any Organ is a Powerful and a Blessed thing in the eyes of god.These are great humanitarian gift that some times worth more than money can buy.
I honestly never realized the importance of giving blood or donating a organ, until after my accident .
The thing i have realized about some of our society is we have to have a tragedy or a terrible accident t occurred with a family member for up to get active about caring and doing things that are important things. Example like for saving a life for some one who needs or experiencing a life treating situation.
Now i want to be a strong advocate to participate in any way possible. People should not hesitate in helping in any way form or fashion when ever they can to save a life.
Because life is too much precious i realized that when i got my second chance on January 2008.
30. April 2009 at 1:25 pm :
Thank you Elaine. This is a very important cause for me. I have enouraged everyone I can to give blood for years. After 911 I remember standing in line for hours to give blood. It was not only important to me that I give blood but I think the entire town was there too! I think 911 brought out people who never in their lives ever donated and hopefully those pople continue to donate today. Wouldn’t that be great?
The story of my brother-in-law was the scarriest time of my entire life. He is a wonderful man that risked his life everyday to do his job. He has more surgeries ahead of him still. He just recently had to have another surgery on his jaw which went well. He is such an important part of our family, I am thakful that God saw fit to let us keep him longer. We were so blessed.
30. April 2009 at 1:40 pm :
Blood donations are the river of life…Just a note, that in Canada people are not paid to donate – they donate their blood because they care.
Organ donations are slowly making progress and we sign our donor card via our Provinical Health Card in Ontario. I have signed mine and when I pass, many people will benefit in the use of my organs…it is a wonderful feeling to know that others can live and have hope in my passing;)
30. April 2009 at 4:08 pm :
April wrote:
“A local movie theater in my city offers free movie tickets to people who donate blood.”
I have received movie tickets for donating blood. It’s so simple and fast. You spend more time watching the movie than you do actually donating the blood!
30. April 2009 at 4:15 pm :
In 2006 and 2007 I spent 3 hours a week donating platelets, plasma, and blood. I always wanted to know who was getting all that, but never found out. Bloodsource only gave me general information regarding my donations. I do understand the privacy factor, but I truly believe the personal relationship that could be developed would not only motivate people to continue donating, but would motivate people to gain more people to help the cause!
30. April 2009 at 4:22 pm :
Though 3 hours a week for 2 years was very exhausting, I would have kept at it had I not lost it to being disqualified for traveling. I did enjoy watching all those movies while spinning and squeezing that little rubber toy each donation. I also enjoyed the food and snacks they had for those 15 minute recoveries.
I guess the whole experience was like going to a movie with the snacks, but actually having your personal space not be invaded by the people in the theater~
30. April 2009 at 4:23 pm :
There were times I didn’t want to watch movies so I read and since I really don’t like books, I just studied scripture. It was enlightening and I do miss it~
30. April 2009 at 9:41 pm :
I have never received money or movie tickets for blood donations or plasma donations. I do it because I believe it is the gift of life. I do it because I know a baby will live another day thanks to the few minutes I spent giving my blood. I do it because it makes me feel good about myself. I do it because I care. Its not about what you can get it’s about what you can give.
1. May 2009 at 2:07 pm :
I wanted to just remind everyone that summer time is pretty much here and this is the time of the year when the blood banks are really low. Prom is here and that is another time when blood is needed. Please if you can donate do so. It could be the life of a child you save. I could be your own. You never know who you save but you will always know that you are a life saver. Please donate and give the gift of life.
1. May 2009 at 9:20 pm :
I am so delighted to read all these wonderful stories about donating to the blood drive and organ donor. We will continue to support and fight the cause that we believe in to SAVE A LIFE.
I hope one day i can demonstrate a remarkable good deed to save a life of a some one who is in need of some thing to save their life. Which ever way i possible can, I think i owe that much to someone in this world after all i went since January 2008.
God is watching over me he save mylife, so i think i have to do the same in return one day for some one.
3. May 2009 at 2:39 am :
I wanted to add also that if you give blood you can elect to have your family members and yourself put on a list that will give you priority if there is a blood shortage and you or a member of your family is ever in need. That to me is important knowing that my kids will always have blood no matter what. just some food for thought.
3. May 2009 at 2:47 am :
I too, have read through all these wonderful messages! If there is one thing I regret about my mission work, it’s that I am no longer able to give blood, as I cannot have been in a malaria or HIV prone area within the past 12 months. Our son, who is 19 and a Marine now, was the head of our local high school chapter of Amer. Red Cross. The high school kids made a tremendous impact on our local blood supply, and literally went out and hit the streets recruiting people to donate. It hits close to home for our famiy, like so many whom I read about in the blogs. Both my father in law, and my dad required blood transfusions at some point. I always gave blood any time I was able, and encouraged both our children to do so as well. I believe educating our young people to the benefits of serving others, including by donating blood, is our responsibility as parents and adults. Clean blood is so vital, and it is a resource we all have, some of us more than others, and those of us with a surplus really need to share the wealth, so to speak!! I would, but that would mean refraining from working in Haiti, and honestly, I chose Haiti! Keep it up, everyone out there who braves the needle and chooses to give! God bless you for that!
4. May 2009 at 4:18 am :
It so amazing when we all stand together and fight for all these causes that we believe in. We as recipients must continue these monumental task of taking this foundation to unpresented heights.
i hope the day will come when i can sit back and read or see my rewards of some good deeds that i can say i have done. Then i can say i have accomplish some thing to be joyful of.
Because to give to save a life is one of the greatest accomplishment one can ever achieved in this life time.
4. May 2009 at 11:22 pm :
Amy is a regular donor of her type 0 blood. I am not a valuable donor due to a hereditary anemia that everyone in my family has. I am however a full organ donor. Both Amy and my sons are full body donors. My mother asked that I not donate my whole body because that would crush her horribly to not have my body rested in a place she could visit. I understood that because her late husband father was a whole body donor and it did break her husbands heart and before he died he retracted his whole body donation and turned it into organ donation…sadly they could not take his organs though. His brother was in line to receive a kidney but it never happened. Because my mom’s husband died so young of heart failure an autopsy was recommended with eliminated the possibility of organ harvesting. My mother and sister are both full organ donors too. Neither are blood donors due to the anemia.