Overwhelming Week and the need for blood donations

Today is a great day! This week, my mouth sores have basically healed; for the most part, I have been able to eat regular food. However, I have to be careful as I have overdone it a couple of times and my stomach has not been happy. Though eating has been great, this week has been overwhelming. Since my last visit to the hospital, I’ve had several transfusions, Five units of of red blood cells, and three units three units of platelets. We drove the 80-mile round trip to the Huntsman Center every day this week if you include drive time we spent between 5 - 8 hours a day dealing with cancer-related issues. I even had to have my PICC line removed because the sight was starting to get infected which is rare. Needless to say, we are pretty exhausted from the week.

It seems that the cancer pathway I must travel is a rare one for example cancer I have is rare in adults, having Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) after the first treatment of chemo is unusual, and discovering the cancer due to bone lesions is rare, some of the side effects of chemo that I am having are rare, having your PICC line get infected is rare, my level of exhaustion related to red blood cell count is uncommon, among other things. But I am a rare kind of guy so I should not be surprised. This is just all part of the challenge. But, we take on one thing at a time, and as we do we find ourselves at the top of each hill that makes up the path to eventually overcome the giant cancer mountain. 

I have been contemplating a lot on the need I’ve had for blood products and how low blood banks are and feel I need to encourage people to donate. Personally, I have donated blood for decades as often as I can including whole blood, Double Red cells, and plasma. I guess now I am getting it back but its not mine as blood doesn't last that long. In fact, red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less) and Platelets must be used within just 5 days so the constant flow of donors is vital. Unfortunately, In the United States, only approximately 3% of the age-eligible population donate blood each year. Considering that every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets, we need to do better. If we could increase the percentage from 3% to 5% it would most likely meet the need. Based on the current blood bank levels blood could be unavailable to people like me. So please donate! It only takes about an hour or less for whole blood and not much longer for double red or plasma. I understand that many people have a fear of needles, schedules are very busy, and may not know if they can donate based on meds they take or health conditions but I would ask you to at least try. I especially ask those who are young and healthy to please find time in your schedule to donate as soon as possible and as often as you can. Here are some statistics that show how vital the need is:

• Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets. 
• Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. 
• Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S. 
• Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
• A single-car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
• Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
• One donation can help save more than one life.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.9 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

As you can see there is a great need. So if you can please make some time to donate blood. This is a form of service that great goes unnoticed but it is not about us but the people we serve. Elder Steven E. Snow taught. 

“First, we are commanded to serve one another. The first commandment is to love God. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

The Savior taught His disciples this important principle in Matthew:
“Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
“Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 

This service is to be given unselfishly, with no thought of personal gain or reward. It is to be given as needed, not just when convenient. Opportunities to serve may not always seem obvious, as it is human nature to worry about our own wants and needs. We must resist such tendencies and look for opportunities to serve. When we visit with those who are suffering from sickness, loss of loved ones, or other heartbreak, it is not enough to simply say, “Call if there is anything I can do.” Rather, look for ways to bless the lives of others through seemingly simple acts of service. It is better to do even things of little consequence than to do nothing at all.” (“Service” Elder Steven E. Snow October 2007)

Again, please look for ways to serve others through blood donation or any other opportunities that may come your way, We have been greatly blessed by the service of others and wish to thank all you have helped including those who have donated to our fundraiser, Here is a link that you can't donate from or share with people on social media

Click the link read my story and then share it, donate, and/or join the team. https://www.gofundme.com/f/jasons-fight-faith-family-and-the-will-to-beat-cancer