#18 - The First Installment

As I watched the nurse pull the needle out of my arm, I was pleased to know that I had met my goal of 5 units of blood in this 1001 day period I set for myself. But it humbles me to think that this has been but a small drop in the bucket compared to the need that is out there.  Sometimes a person will need a unit or two to get through a rough patch.  Sometimes they'll need 80 or more units, as did my sister-in-law when her liver failed to make clotting factors after metastatic breast cancer took it over.  This 5 units is but the first installment on a debt that I may never be able to repay.  The Red Cross has had to put so many restrictions on who can give blood donations to keep the blood supply safe, that those of us that are still eligible should help when we can.  If you would like to see if you are eligible and find out where you can donate, go to http://www.givelife.org/.