America's Blood Centers Thanks Donors During Celebration of National Blood D...( ABC urges Americans to make a dif...),Health

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Throughout the month of January, America's Blood Centers and blood transfusion recipients across the country recognize and thank blood donors through the annual celebration of National Blood Donor Month.

Each year, more than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions in the U.S. According to a recent study by W. Riley (et al) published in the July 2007 issue of Transfusion, only 37 percent of the population is eligible to give blood. However, less than 10 percent of the eligible population gives annually. It is through the commitment of regular blood donors like Bob Grant, a frequent face at the Oklahoma Blood Institute, that allows blood centers across the nation to meet hospital needs. Grant has been giving blood since 1976 when he first donated to assist a co-worker's open heart surgery. Since then, he has donated over 300 times and has given over 50 gallons of blood.

"To me giving blood is a civic responsibility, it's nice to know that I am doing something good for my community," states Grant. "Giving blood is easy to do, it takes less than an hour, and it can save someone's life. They say I'm a 'hero,' I like to say it's the right thing to do."

Grant's donation, along with thousands of pints of blood given daily, is made available at healthcare facilities to not only treat patients who have experienced a severe trauma, but also those suffering from chronic diseases that require weekly or monthly blood transfusions, and in some cases, like Lauren Larsen's, even childbirth.

"About two hundred complete strangers kept me alive with their blood donations when near-fatal childbirth complications arose with my first -- and last -- pregnancy seven years ago. Today, when I look at my little girl and think about her going through life with both of her parents, you can't imagine the gratitude I feel for
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