Hot Pursuit: A call to help save someone’s life

By now everybody has likely made their New Year’s resolutions, which often end up being self-centered and all about me. But there is one resolution I hope people may consider yet for 2016 if they haven’t already. 
It’s giving the gift of blood. I know it doesn’t sound very glamorous or exciting, but it’s something that can quickly become a lifesaving venture. 
January is National Blood Donor Month. It’s a good time to think about how you can help out another fellow human being. By donating blood regularly, you’re not only making a vital contribution to modern healthcare, but also helping to save a life. 
I became a regular blood donor about 10 years ago. I certainly didn’t start donating as early as I should have, but the important thing is I am now. I have found that I get the biggest rush from donating blood and knowing I’ve likely helped someone in need. 
The importance of donating blood didn’t become crystal clear for me until about 15 years ago in my former life as a police officer. One night I rolled up on a vehicle in the roadway when one man stabbed another man in the neck right in front of me. The victim came stumbling back to me with blood gushing out of his neck like a water hose. 
I quickly applied direct pressure and first aide to the victim. By the time he arrived in the hospital, he had lost nearly every ounce of blood in his body. With such a traumatic wound, the victim obviously needed lots of blood. Fortunately, the man survived his near death experience. And I walked away with a new appreciation for giving blood. 
Getting poked and having blood sucked out of your veins may sound a little unappealing and scary. But it really is pretty painless. A little discomfort is a small price to pay for someone who is facing a life and death situation and needs blood immediately. 
The American Red Cross says your blood donation is so much greater than a pint of blood—it is a gift of hope to a patient in need like I found on a dark, lonely street corner many years ago. Imagine yourself, for a moment, being the person in need. 
Life is full of many twists and turns. One never knows when you’re going to be laying in the emergency room or on the operating table needing blood pumped into your body. It could be a car wreck, a heart attack or some other unexpected medical condition that lands you or a loved one in the hospital. 
I don’t know about you, but I hope to God there is blood awaiting me in the hospital if I need it. Perspective donors, take note. My blood type is O positive. 
I encourage everyone to consider becoming a blood donor. There are nearly 4 million donors across the country dedicated to changing lives, one donation at a time. 
The Red Cross is governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities. It is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. 
In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts. 
It’s reassuring to know that we have a service like the Red Cross to depend on in times of great need. Do yourself a favor, plan on donating blood this year. Being in hot pursuit of donating your blood could just save another person’s life.