The Española Valley has a solid core of altruistic, good citizens who make the blood donation circuit. We know that because they find places to donate blood, on their own, without someone telling them to do it. You know someone who will go to such lengths is one of the highly valued people of our Valley.
We hope to see some of those good folks tomorrow at our third blood drive in the Rio Grande SUN parking lot. Unfortunately, there aren’t nearly enough of these people. Their club needs to grow.
According to United Blood Services, in 2008 the Española Hospital used 928 units of blood and blood products, for which the community of Española donated 152 units of blood and blood products. Now the city of Española budget geniuses may think those numbers work great but for those of us who live within our means we know we all need to do a little better. In short, we’re depending on people outside the Valley to supply us with blood.
The good news is so far in 2009 the hospital used 281 units of blood and blood products, for which the community of Española donated 93 units of blood and blood products. That’s a big improvement.
But how would it look to those outside the Valley if we actually donated more than we used. That would make a nice headline: Española Valley Exports 100 Units of Blood Quarterly. Giving more than you get is always a better feeling than having your hand out all the time.
Hospital employees donated 38 units at the last drive held there. We’d like to approach that number tomorrow. That can only happen with your help.
If you haven’t signed up, you can still do so online at www.unitedbloodservices.org. Use sponsor code RGSun. You can also call regular donor Maria Garcia and she’ll schedule you for a slot. If you’re not sure about your schedule, just show up at our building on North Railroad Avenue between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and you won’t be able to miss the United Blood Services van in our parking lot. They’ll be glad to tap a vein.