There are many downsides to the battle being fought by our nation and our world these days.
In the midst of the preparations to take care of our families and loved ones, minds are racing, and it can be a struggle to figure out how to be a help to others.
One important way: keep in touch with neighbors - especially elderly - to ensure their needs are being met.
Another important way: blood.
No blood = no life.
Keep in mind that during this coronavirus crisis, there are still things happening requiring blood transfusions: accidents, medical procedures, chronic conditions, etc.
Again, for these people, no blood = no life.
The nation's supply of blood is hurting:
Public health officials encourage "social distancing" now but they also worry it is leading to a shortage of donated blood.
The American Red Cross, which supplies about 40% of the nation's blood, says donor drives across the country have been cancelled "at an alarming rate" and the organization now faces a "severe blood shortage."
"In really good times we may have five days of inventory available for our hospital clients and now we're running at a day or day-and-a-half in some cases," says Chris Hrouda, president of Biomedical Services for the Red Cross.
As of Tuesday, the Red Cross says about 2,700 blood drives had been canceled because of concerns about people gathering at workplaces, college campuses and schools — all places where drives typically take place. The organization estimates that's resulted in 86,000 fewer blood donations because 80% of the blood it collects comes from drives held at these locations.
Easiest way to find a spot in your area to make a donation of blood?
You can donate once every 56 days.
It'll take 60-90 minutes total -- with less than 10-15 minutes of that actually having the needle in your arm.
Please, please, please consider it.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt