For starters, let’s crunch some numbers: 3 — number of lives saved by one pint of donated blood; 32,000 — pints of donated blood used every day in the US; 4.5 million — American lives saved each year by blood transfusions; 60 — percentage of eligible blood donors in the US; 5 — percentage of eligible donors who donate. Anyone in good health, at least 17 years old and weighing at least 110 pounds, may donate blood every 56 days. Long ago, February was designated to be the month when love is celebrated, particularly February 14 — Valentine’s Day. This year, show you care by helping save a life. Participate in the Saturn National Donor Day Blood Drive on Feb. 11 at the Community Blood Center, 4447 South Blvd. and at Saturn dealerships in Charlotte, Hickory and Concord from 10am-2pm. For more information, call 704-972-4700.
This article appears in Feb 8-14, 2006.
