Informative Essay - Blood Donation

            In 2007, Rick's wife, Kelly, was in premature labor with their second son Christian. Fortunately, Christian was born without any defects but Kelly was not so fortunate. She suffered a life threatening hemorrhage. Kelly needed thirteen units of blood in order to survive the hemorrhage. Two years later, Kelly was going through yet another premature labour with their first daughter Amy. Another thirteen units of blood was used to save Kelly's life. During both times Kelly went into labour, Rick knew there was nothing he could do to help except to donate blood to help save lives of other people in need of it in emergencies just as his wife did. "I owe my life, my wife's and therefore my children's lives to the service and more importantly to those who selflessly give blood. You can't make blood, it has to be donated and I see it as this - pay in now as you never know when you, a family member or friend may need it," says Rick. Rick has devoted the past two years encouraging people to donate blood and informing people the importance of blood donation. He is telling people instead of donating money, to donate blood. .
             About 30 million U.S. citizens need blood transfusions every year. Thirty-eight percent of the American population are eligible to donate blood but less than 10% of the population actually donates. That's every two people in 100 that donate blood. The hospitals are on short blood supply and need everyone that can donate to donate. It does not matter what blood type you have, a patient somewhere needs it. If you have a rare type of blood, there are fewer donations to go around. If you have a common blood type, there are more patients that need your help. When you donate, you can save up to three lives with one donation. A single blood donation can provide red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Donors can give either whole blood or specific blood components only. The process of donating specific blood components – red cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate or platelets – is called apheresis.