THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 2, 1994 TAG: 9409020022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
As the Labor Day weekend approaches, I find myself thinking about how busy we all tend to be around major holidays, often too busy to stop to think about saving a life by donating blood to the Red Cross. It's ironic that holidays are some of the times when blood can be needed most for major emergencies, yet it's a time when people give the least because of busy schedules or vacations.
I never really thought much about the importance of blood until it touched my life last summer. My husband and I were expecting our first child in August, but she surprised us by arriving 2 1/2 months early, near another major holiday, Memorial Day. Our daughter Lucy, born prematurely, faced a host of problems that threatened her existence. She battled a blood infection, anemia, a heart murmur, a cerebral hemorrhage and apnea. In the midst of all this, Lucy needed a blood transfusion. We are thankful the blood was there for her because someone, somewhere took the time to donate at a Red Cross blood drive.
I believe that without the blood given to her, Lucy would not be with us today. It saddens me beyond words to think of my life without her - now a happy, healthy baby girl.
The sad fact is that blood supplies are down. Unfortunately, there are children who need blood every day. The holidays are no exception. It is up to all of us to ensure that blood is there for the children.
If you think you're too busy to give blood this Labor Day, or on other holidays, stop for a moment. Look into the face of your daughter, son, grandchild, niece, nephew or neighbor and put yourself in my place a year ago. Take time out of your busy schedule to give blood this Labor Day holiday. Somebody out there is counting on you to help.
KATHLEEN E. CONROY
Chesapeake, Aug. 30, 1994 by CNB