As some of you know, I was invovled with Red Cross for the last three years and I would like to add a word about donating blood, at least in the USA.

In the USA, the Red Cross covers about half of the blood supply and may be the ONLY place to donate in your area. You can find a donation site near you by calling:

1-800-GIVE LIFE.

To donate, you must be in good general health, weigh at least 105 (or 110) lbs (they keep changing it), and have not given for at least 56 days. There are some medications that disqualify you from giving, but these change often too and although you may have been deferred in the past, you may be able to give now. Call ahead once you get the donation site info and ask about your meds. You might be surprised what you can be taking, and still give.

Blood IS always in short supply around the holidays due to poor weather canceling drives or limiting turnout, the crazy busyness of blood donors like the rest of us, and the increased need due to accidents and other holiday stressors.

The good news is, blood is shipped where it is needed, when supplies are low. So you can help where you are, knowing that it will go where it is needed most.

And you cannot get AIDS from donating-- it is safe and more painless than a blood test, because these nurses who stick you are REALLY GOOD. And afterwards you can visit with other donors as you munch cookies and share a bit of why you are donating... it's good to talk about this, you know.

Some of you will not be able to donate, and this means you have an extremely powerful opportunity-- you non-donors can be the best possible recruiters of other donors, because you are so motivated. Each unit of blood is processed, broken down, to be able to save up to four lives-- just think the impact you can have. And although it can take time to set up a new blood drive, MANY workplaces can support in-house drives with a bit of planning. Memorial drives are a regular feature of some workplaces.

Finally, another powerful opportunity to increase the blood supply belongs to you each time you perform. Use that microphone to tell about Wes, the Mudcat, Patrick, and the importance of donating blood.

~Susan