The US is having some major issues right now. Feeling helpless? Feeling like you need to contribute in some way?
I've said it before and I will say it again and again and again. You can save lives.
How?
Donate blood. Blood banks are in desperate need of donations all over the country.
Gigantic wild fires in the West and a line of hurricanes decimating the South means that blood banks in the East and North must provide life-saving blood products to these areas. Once they do, their supplies must be replenished.
Find a blood drive in your area by reaching out to these groups.
Red Cross
New York Blood Center
and the NYBC Family
AND
Join the Bone Marrow Registry!!!
Today marks the 16th year since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Our community still feels the pain of that day. And the health repercussions continue to take our heroes.
"The FDNY’s World Trade Center Memorial Wall, created in 2011,
now features 159 names of fallen members who died from illnesses related
to their work at Ground Zero, including firefighters, paramedics and
fire marshals. Last year, 17 names were added to the wall."
This year, "Thirty-two people were added to the FDNY’s memorial wall."
As First Responders suffer from September 11th related
illnesses, many of them with blood cancers, they will most likely need a bone marrow
transplant.
Normally, they're the ones saving lives, but this time it could be one of us saving them.
Join the bone marrow registry.
This website, Be The Match, will tell you everything you need to know about joining the registry and WHERE to find a drive near you.
If you personally can't donate that doesn't mean that you can't still help. Share blood drive events near you on social media OR host a blood drive of your own at a local school or church.
I hope my blog friends living in any of the fire and storm areas are all okay.
That's sad to think that people are still dying from the events of that day.
ReplyDeleteWell done Heather to remind us all - I wrote about our Blood Couriers a short while ago - essential people ... and those who donate - critical to some in recent days - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI've donated blood before. It's a cool head rush. Plus there are cookies afterwards.
ReplyDeleteGreat info for us to keep in mind
ReplyDeleteA great reminder Heather. Very sobering to think that the repercussions of 9/11 on people's lives continue to this day.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done a 'donate' blood post in a while. I'll put that on the schedule. It's so easy to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder and info on donating bone marrow.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. So sad how many tragedies are taking place at the same time. Thanks for the reminder of what people can do to help.
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