Give blood. Give life.

I have been lucky enough to have never required a blood transfusion. I've never known anyone that has either. However, nine out of ten of us will require one at some time in our lives. Sadly, only five percent of the eligible population donates blood. Off-year elections have higher turnouts than that.

For most of us, few things are simpler than donating blood. They ask you some weird questions, they prick your finger, they take your blood pressure, and you lie there for 10-20 minutes while your bag fills up. Sure, some people don't qualify, and some people are afraid of needles or the sight of blood. But, the majority of us are freely able to do something that requires little more effort than lying down. And, they give you juice and cookies when you're done.

Please consider participating in the next blood drive you encounter, or make a visit to your local blood center. One day you may be glad that someone else did.