Each year, fewer people donate blood, yet the number of blood transfusions is increasing. Hundreds of thousands of the nation's 69 million children suffer from diseases such as leukemia and sickle cell disease that require blood transfusions. Matthew noted that soon he would be eligible to give blood. I'm going to encourage my friends and family to become regular donors as I will be. Sickle cell anemia disease effects one in every 500 African American children and one in every 1,000 Hispanic American children.
Blood donors are the key.
It is the saving grace of these people who give not only their time, but literally a piece of themselves so my son and others like him are here today and tomorrow. The children include premature babies and trauma victims and children who have leukemia, liver cancer, sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, and congenital heart defects. The calendars will be sold to raise money for educational programs about blood and blood use. Please see the the order form on page four for more information. Other promotional items for the campaign include posters, tent cards, and t-shirts.