Thicker than water and just as precious
One time this summer we’d were blessed with so much rain that cowboy had to fix the road out of the ranch for me to get to the airport. When I tried to return to the ranch, there had been more rain and I could not safely return, so I flew to Houston to see my cousin.
Over the years my cousin has done many wonderful things for her community, for individuals and for her neighborhood. I often refer to her as a living saint. From weekly visits with a Down syndrome individual that spanned two decades, raising money and riding in the MS: Texas 150 for 20 years, starting and overseeing mentoring programs in schools, holding porch concerts to raise money for out-of-work musicians during COVID — and the list goes on. She gladly serves others, and you will never find her boasting about it. Through the years of helping others, she managed to raise four lovely children who are now young adults all thriving in their own careers, getting married and beginning their own families.
When my cousin suggested only four hours after l Ianded in Houston that we could give blood to honor a friend from our hometown going through stem cell transfusions at MD Anderson, I said, “Let’s go!” My cousin casually mentioned that the last time she offered, she couldn’t give blood because her iron levels were low. While we think of donating blood to help others, surprisingly there are some health benefits for the donors themselves. Think of it as a mini free health screening. Your vital signs are checked, iron levels tested, temperature checked, and your blood most likely gets screened for infectious diseases you may not be unaware of.
According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. requires a blood transfusion. In January 2022, the American Red Cross announced that it was facing the worst blood shortage in a decade. One blood donation can save up to three lives, according to Dr. Robert DeSimone, a pathology specialist with New York Presbyterian.
Giving blood also has proven health benefits for donors, and in fact, studies have shown that donating blood can be good for your heart (literally as well as figuratively). One study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that individuals who donated blood had an 88% lower risk of suffering a heart attack. Giving blood regularly is linked to lower blood pressure and lower risk for heart attacks. Dr. DeSimone says, “It definitely helps reduce cardiovascular risk factors; if your hemoglobin is too high, blood donations help to lower the viscosity of the blood, which had been associated with the formation of blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke. Interestingly, these benefits are more significant in men compared to women.”
At MD Anderson you also learn your blood type, which is helpful. Knowing your blood type can be useful if you ever face emergency surgery or another medical situation in which a transfusion may be required. Knowing your blood type also lets you know if you are may be prone to health risks such as heart conditions and even memory problems. Then if you have a rare blood type, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your donation is particularly needed. There is also a book written about the best types of diets and exercise based on your blood type, but the book fails to address conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Perhaps consider donating blood to get a mini wellness check-up and remember by being a regular blood donor you may help your own blood flow reducing arterial blockage and balancing your iron levels. And let’s not forget you get a snack after donating. MD Anderson actually gives you a T-shirt!
Feel free to share your thoughts with me at ashton@ashtoncannon.com.
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Ashton Graham is an educator, book publisher, photographer, cowgirl and yoga teacher. She is currently studying to become a yoga therapist and lives on a ranch in West Texas. Visit www.ashtoncannon.com to learn more.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Maintaining Balance: Thicker than water and just as precious
