Blood

4 Pages 967 Words

Beep, beep, beep, beep. “You were traveling to class in the morning, it was very foggy. Without warning you saw a car in front of you as you slammed on your brakes your car started to spin and eventually rolled four times. The ambulance came and rushed you to the hospital. During the accident you suffered a head injury and are going to need a blood transfusion to compensate for the blood you have lost.” Beep, beep, beep, beep sounds the heart monitor.

Throughout the world, everyday people are being deprived of life. Why? Because the need for donated blood is at devastatingly high levels. Did you know only about 5% of Americans eligible to donate blood, actually donate every year. I have been donating my blood since I was 16 years old, when my mother signed a waiver in order for me to donate my blood to my best friends mom who was very ill. I have done research on the topic of blood donating and today, I will persuade you to take an active role in saving someone’s life by donating blood.

According to the American Red Cross every three seconds someone in the United States needs blood. With the occurrence of car accidents, shootings, and other medical emergencies blood is an invaluable resource. Blood is essential to life and there is no artificial substitute that can replace human blood. The National Blood Data Resource Center states that about 10,000 people receive blood transfusions every day and many of them are in jeopardy due to the declining rate of blood donations. All blood types are needed especially the “universal blood” type O blood, which can be received by anyone. The American Red Cross estimates about 12 million units of whole blood are donated in the U.S. every year and on any given day, approximately 33,000 units are needed. When calculated that leaves an estimated 45,000 units of blood still needed every year. I would be devastated if one of my friends, family members or myself needed some of the 45,000 un...