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Things to consider when giving or receiving blood

What is the most precious fluid of all?

Oil. Is that one of the most precious fluids? In these days when fuel costs often soar, many might think so. In truth, though each one of us carries around a few quarts of a far more valuable fluid.Think of it; As billions of barrels of oil are extracted from the earth every year to quench our thirst for more fuel, some 90 million units of blood are drained from humans each year in hopes of helpingthose who are ill. That staggering figure represents the blood volume of some 8,000,000 people. Still like oil blood seems to be in short supply. Medicalcommunities worldwide warn of blood shortages. What is it that makes blood so valuable? Because of it's complexity, blood is linked to an organ of the body. One text book describs blood as the only organ in the body that's fluid. Blood is also a living transportation system. The circulatory system is like a web of canals it transports all the good things but also a lot of junk. As blood makes it's way through the 60,000 miles of circulatory system it comes in contact with nearly eve tissue in our body including the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver vital organs that process and rely on blood. Blood brings many good things to the cells of your body, such as oxygen and nutrients and defensive help but it also carries away junk, such as carbon dioxide, the contents of dead or dying cells and other waste. The role of blood in waste removal helps to explaine why it can be dangerous toto come in contact with blood once it leavs the body. And no one can ever guarntee that all of the junk in the blood has been removed before it is given to someone else. Without question, blood performs functions that are essential to life. That is why the medicalcommunity has made practice of transfusing blood into patients who have lost blood. Many doctors would say this use is what makes blood so precious. However things have been changing in the medical feild. In a sense, quite revolution has been underway. Many doctors have not been so quick to transfuse blood as they once were. Why? Medical experts estimate that 200 million more units of donated blood are needed each year. Developing lands are home to 82% of the worlds inhabitants, yet less than 40% of all blood donations come from such places. Many hospitals in those lands cope without blood. In some lands almost everyday procedures are cancelled that require transfusions because of lack of blood. And more and more blood donars are turned down these days because of high risk lifestyle or travel that may have exposed then to disease or parisites. An atmosphere of desperation seems to have developed among those responsible for stocking blood. Youths who generally have less risky lifestyles are sometimes targeted as a safe blood source. Blood collection centers are keeping longer hours and even have compensation in order to recruit and keep donors. So now you know why blood is so valuable. Please if you can give blood today you may save someones life maybe even a child.

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