Happy Valentine's Day! - (And a word about BLOOD)

to everyone out there, especially my master :) Hope you are all celebrating with a glass of wine, some chocolate, and a nice romantic dinner....myself, I'm hoping for perhaps a catnip ball tonite :)

Wanted to say a word about something else that's nice and red, and that everyone, humans and animals alike, need....and that is BLOOD! (My master writes about vampires, and they are ALWAYS in need).

This is the time of year when organizations organize annual blood drives, and it is important for humans to donate if they are able to. Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation. When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood. Potential donors are evaluated for anything that might make their blood unsafe to use. The screening includes testing for diseases that can be transmitted by a blood transfusion, including HIV and viral hepatitis. The donor is also asked about medical history and given a short physical examination to make sure that the donation is not hazardous to his or her health. How often a donor can give varies from days to months based on what he or she donates and the laws of the country where the donation takes place. Donors are typically required to give consent for the process and this requirement means that minors cannot donate without permission from a parent or guardian.Donors are screened for health risks that might make the donation unsafe for the recipient. The most common blood types are A, B, AB or O. (My master's is O).

If you are interested in learning more about this, you can read a good article at Wikipedia, my constant source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_donation or visit the Red Cross Website: http://www.redcross.org/donate/give

this has been a public service message from your friendly neighborhood cat/blogger!

Have a wonderful Valentines!


ROCCO