One of my New Year's Resolutions is to start doing something again that I got out of the habit of doing with the big move last year.
I know that this community is made up of caring, giving people so I thought that I would put it out there to encourage other Kossacks to consider starting.
I'm talking about donating blood. First of all, I'm not a medical technologist, I've never worked in a blood bank, but I have worked in a medical laboratory for nearly 30 years. There have been times the blood bank techs have poked their heads in our department, as well as every other department of the lab, asking for a certain blood type. Most lab people are happy to donate if they are able.
Contrary to the belief of some, a person cannot contract the AIDS virus by donating blood. Each donor gets a pack of sterile supplies that is used once and discarded.
Donating blood could save the life of an accident victim, a cancer victim, a person with a blood disorder, and many others. Last time I checked 5% of the population was supplying the blood for the other 95%.
There are some conditions or behaviors which could disqualify a donor. If you have a question or concern, call your local blood donation center or check online. The donation process takes 45 minutes to an hour, they feed you juice and cookies, and you lose about 800 calories.
Blood donors are special people. Why not take a little time and become one of them.