Alltop is one of the best blog aggregation sites - they search the net to find "all the top" stuff around the net and compile it in one place, categorizing everything on different themed pages, each dedicated to different topics (think news, weddings, crafts, France, PHP, autos, seriously - they have it all!) Well, my news is... I'm now featured on Alltop's Twenty-Something's page!! It's kind of a big deal. And I'm honored.
Thanks Alltop. Welcome new friends. And preexisting friends? Go show Alltop some love. :) And have a FANTABULOUS 4th of July!!
Over the course of their lifetimes, a third of the population will require a life-saving transfusion, whether it's due to cancer, an accident, a burn, a transplant, surgery, having a baby, or a chronic disease. EVERY THREE SECONDS, someone needs a blood transfusion. Nearly 5 million Americans a year are in dire need of blood. Many die. Blood is well, crucial to existence. I didn't have to be an nurse to tell you that one.
Most Americans are eligible to donate blood, but less than 5% of them do so. Isn't it ironic that most of us expect there to be blood available to us at all times, regardless of whether or not we have ever donated? Regardless of whether or not we even know anyone who has ever donated?
Blood is perishable, and there is absolutely no substitute for human blood. A typical donation of a pint might cost you only an hour, but it can save the lives of up to three people. Put that in perspective. It could save the lives of your mom, your husband, and your daughter. Last week when I was in the hospital, I needed four units of platelets. That is usually standard for me. The previous evening, a patient had used up 40% of the hospital's supply, so getting my blood was like a war between my doctor and the blood bank doctor. They finally settled on giving me three units, but honestly? I was scared. There has to be a reason they've been giving me four units as standard for all these years, right? Plus with it being summer, the blood shortage is very evident in most areas of the country right now - probably even yours.
How many people have secret lists of things they want to do before they die, and how many times is "save a life" written on those lists? Well tell me, what's easier than spending a little less than an hour to save THREE? And you can do it over and over and over again. I'm so upset that my health conditions prevent my blood from being of any value for donation. I'd be in there as often as I possibly could (every 56 days!) if I had better blood to give, and that's a promise you can hold me to.
I know a lot of people have heard generalizations on the rules and regulations, and yes, some things are obvious - maybe it's not the best thing to go to the donation drive if you are fully aware that you have HIV. But lately with the advances in technology, you'd be surprised - major things aside, your blood is probably perfectly safe to go into another's veins. The American Red Cross has a great resource page to help answer your questions.
Have you donated blood? If so, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Maybe your cells gave mine life. Maybe the product of your heart has been through mine. I am grateful for the life you've given me.
If not? It's okay. Just please think about it. Please don't pass this up, close the tab, and go about your day. I'll personally help you find a drive by you and cheer you through it if that's what it takes.
Please, please, please. I politely ask you, as a nurse, as a patient, as a human being. As someone who cares. As someone who knows no one is too busy to save a life, or two, or three.
Happy July!! A new month! A perfect excuse for a new beginning!
Lots to share....
Nurses! Run right over to my friend Beth's (aka PixelRN) site, Oriented(x)3! She has compiled a fabulous aggregation of nurse bloggers, message boards, hot topics, news items, you name it. If you're into fresh, fabulous nursing, here it is. I am totally, completely honored to be a part of this resource, so I am now proudly displaying the logo on my right sidebar. Please take some time just to go see what this place is all about. It really is wonderful!
I talked my mom into entering some of the challenges over on 2peas for Worldwide Stamping Week, and guess who won the technique challenge? Yes, my cool stampy-pants mother herself! Check out my mom's gallery on 2Peas and show her some love!
{I must add here, for all the crafts I do, stamping just isn't one of them. It frustrates the life out of me. I'm not completely awful at it, but it's definitely not worth the struggle, let's just put it that way. And look at my mom... it's definitely her thing. I hope she shares more - she's totally amazing at rockin' those stamps!}
Next order of business?
This should be illegal!! I mean come on, David Beckham, modeling umm, yeah..., on the front of Macy's in San Francisco? This has to cause more car wrecks than cell phones, right? I'll let my better judgment win and stop here. As much more as I have to say about this one, I'm not getting into any trouble. Nope. Not at all. Moving right along...
So who's loving Firefox 3? Meeee!!!! What's your favorite add-on? I'm still playing around with them, definitely figuring out which ones I can't live without. Now how is this for a way cool tip? Can't remember where I found it, but I can definitely think of times when it would come in handy for me.
Have a beautiful, blessed week, and don't forget who holds your future in His hands. Don't forget He also wants to take your burdens in those hands so he can give you r e s t for your s o u l.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I am 22 & currently spend my days nannying my itty bitties + going to college (working on my nursing degree, goal: pediatric oncology) & am honored to be a published writer in a nursing anthology & a contributor to many scrapbooking publications. i love hanging with my amazing friends, sister & family. i love my baby puppy haylie brooke and our silly doggie ri-ri. in my rare spare time, i read & get crafty. i thrive on organization, my mac repertoire, learning & absolute fabulosity. my favorite place in the world is paris. my favorite color is pink. i love being a nurse & i believe each one of my patients is precious. i'm a night owl & wish my lifestyle promoted such habits. i like lazy jammie days. i believe in god and am thankful for his hand on my life. i believe that life is too short to be anything but happy, & i’m thankful that a chronic liver disease + the effects of a car accident have taught me important values that most people learn far too late. i hope that the world will find hope, and my idea of a good day is one in which i made someone smile :)
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Near and dear to my heart...
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I take my professional nursing standards very seriously. Please scroll to the bottom of the page to read about the promises I make to you regarding my site and any medical information found within.
