Save a Life, Protect Your Own

How often do you get the chance to save someone else's life and have it be good for you too? I'm not talking about a good feeling, I'm talking about it actually making you healthier.

First of all, I've suspected for many years (since my grandmother started having heart attacks after her hysterectomy) that it's not just hormones that protect women from heart disease. It's also bleeding. I know it sounds weird, but a lot of westerners have very high iron levels. The only folks who don't are menstruating women.

Too much iron causes a condition known as hemochromatosis which can cause stress to the liver, kidneys and heart.

Studies have shown though that too much iron may be the cause of some heart problems.

But the cure is so simple, just donate blood.

I know, it sounds practically medeival - bloodletting.

But it's for a good cause. At this time blood cannot be synthesized and is needed for treatment of accident victims, burn victims, those undergoing surgery and those with diseases like hemophilia. It costs you nothing but an hour or so to go donate.

I used to donate all the time - I've donated more than three gallons in my lifetime but have not been allowed to donate for the past three years because of my anemia. Now that I've had my hysterectomy, anemia is not going to be an issue any longer. Not only that, I feel that I need to donate blood to stay healthy. And to just be a good neighbor. I was a little disappointed that they called yesterday evening and asked me if I could donate (I'm A negative, so I get called a lot). Alas, I have to wait for another month or so.

Posted by Elizabeth M. on September 25, 2004 10:17 PM