Article by Sara Rojas
Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. A lot of people are suffering from different kinds of diseases and a blood donation might be what they need to survive. Sickle cell disease affects more than 70,000 people in the United States and about 1,000 babies are born with this disease each year. These patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives. Cancer is another example; adults and kids diagnosed with cancer will need blood as well, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment. Even a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
Even though an estimated 38 percent of the United States population is eligible to donate, less than 10 percent actually do each year. Blood cannot be created; it can only come from generous donors. And more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. Luckily, the number of blood donors in the United States in a year is 9.2 million. And a total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the United States.
All the donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals. It is a good thing that Norfolk Senior High is contributing to this cause to help save as many lives as possible. The Holiday Blood Drive took place in Norfolk Senior High December 3rd. But the sign up was November 16th and 17th. Any student over 16 and with a parent's/guardian's permission helped this cause and helped to save a life.
For more articles, see the December issue of the Panther Newspaper!
