Blood

One of the kindest things a person can do is donate blood. Donating blood can save lives and has benefits for both the recipient and the donor.

To donate blood, you need to be in good health, at least 16 years old (17 in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds, have not donated blood in the last 56 days, and be able to pass the physical and health-history assessments.  Most of the population is eligible to donate yet sadly too few actually do.

Not sure if you can?  Check with your nearest blood bank.  In San Francisco where I live, you can donate any day of the week.  This is true in most major cities.  In smaller communities, blood drives are held at schools, churches, and other locations.  Despite all of our scientific advances, we cannot create blood in a laboratory.  When someone needs a transfusion, it comes from the blood already donated and on hand.

If you already are a blood donor, thanks so much.  Keep it up.  Think about reaching out to friends, family, and coworkers.  Blood is always needed.

Introduction

Hello!  I'm Michael.  I live in San Francisco, although about 30 years ago I was living back east.  I'm full of opinions, and I might share a few of them here from time to time.  I won't be sharing much else of a personal nature because this blog is Not about me.

I want to write about the heroes in my life and about the folks who are making a difference in our world.  I'd like to share stories here that are encouraging and perhaps inspiring.  I invite you to not only read my words, but also to share them.  Oh and your comments are certainly welcome too!  My intention is to write this each morning within the first hour or two of the day.

If you know a hometown hero that you think I should say something about, let me know about that person.  I think we should reward the good things that people do.

So, welcome!  Thanks for reading my first entry.  Do come back.