GIVE BLOOD. GIVE BLOOD. Also, GIVE BLOOD

This is your irregularly scheduled Public Service Announcement.

For a well articulated explanation as to WHY you should give blood (if possible for you to do so) I give you these words from J., my dear friend who has just undergone double abdominal surgery:

Blood -- I lost a lot of it, and fortunately I'm the very popular A+ type. When they tell you you're losing blood - and scarier still, when you watch yourself bleed and bleed with no stop in sight, well, I found it terrifying. (This next part sounds weird, but whatever. It's been a weird month) When you see the nurses come in with the blood unit with the Red Cross logo on it, prep the equipment and literally watch life enter your body, I found it almost spiritual. On every bag was a city and state in the US., with the words 'volunteer donor'. Because those people took the time to donate, I didn't die. Period. I'm going to have to wait a while to begin to donate, but rest assured I will be doing so regularly. If you are able to, please do so. It costs you nothing other than a bit of time and maybe a little nap afterward. Plus I think they give you a donut.

So, if you haven't dropped a pint in a while, maybe it's time to drop by your local blood center . . .