Deal of the Day

 
opinion

Giving the gift of life


Published: June 23, 2010
Melody Kinser

We have heard the cry so many times in recent years — and many, thankfully, heed the call to donate blood.

Received an e-mail last week about bloodlifeline.com, an initiative launched by Virginia Blood Services to bridge the gap between the commonwealth’s donors and the need for blood.

This program makes available “real-time updates about blood, plasma and platelets needs and shortages to donors based on their individual blood type.”

By visiting the site, Virginians can keep blood here and help their neighbors in need.

Through bloodlifeline.com, you can:

- Schedule a donation.
- Sign up for mobile and e-mail alerts of specific blood types whenever there is a local shortage.
- Subscribe to the “Need Feed,” a Twitter feed broadcasting specific blood needs in Virginia.

Because of elective surgeries and accidents associated with summer activities, the need for blood increases this time of the year.

On Thursday, there was an immediate need for O-, O+, A- and B-.

So, whether it’s through Virginia Blood Services or the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross, you can make a difference this summer by donating blood.

Information about the Red Cross can be found at http://www.redcross.org.

We’ve all heard it, now we can live it: Give the gift of life.

Etc.

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Reader Comments

Virginia Blood Services, http://www.vablood.org, is the SOLE provider of blood to 22 hospitals throughout Central Virginia, including VCU Medical Center and Memorial Regional Medical Center. Over 400 units of blood must be collected each day in order to meet patient needs at these hospitals.

There are 4 donor centers throughout the Richmond area: Innsbrook, Arboretum, Chester, and Emerywood (near Glenside Drive). There are also blood collection teams out in our community 7 days a week!

Virginia Blood Services is not affiliated with the Red Cross.

Visit VBS online at http://www.vablood.org or call 1-800-989-GIFT (4438) to make an appointment.

One donation, one pint of blood, less than one hour of your time could save up to three lives of patients right here in our community.


Marly Fausz of Richmond, VA
Jun. 24, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Page 1 of 1 pages


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