In 2016, Bill Birtle faced a failing liver and a life expectancy of five years. He and his wife, Jean, were racing against the clock, were simply losing hope and did not know where to turn. That was, until they found the Masonic Blood + Organ Donor Program.
Although an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10% of those eligible actually do, according to the American Red Cross. Many people don’t give blood due to misconceptions about the risks involved or their eligibility to donate.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Learn how you can prepare to give blood, and what steps to take afterwards, to make it easy to help.
Sometimes, myths and misconceptions about organ, eye and tissue donation can prevent someone from registering as a donor, according to Organdonor.org. You can help bust the myths about organ donation – and help save lives – by learning and sharing these facts.
Unfortunately, many may never get the long-awaited, encouraging call stating that a suitable donor organ – and a second chance of life – has been found.
In 1992, my wife, Carol, was diagnosed with hyper-tense kidneys: high blood pressure caused by poor kidney function, which was made worse by her high blood pressure.
8 Steps to a Successful Blood Drive By Richard D. Knox, PM Valley Lodge # 459; Masontown, PA.
When Brother Mark Nolf, New Bethlehem Lodge No. 522, signed up to be an organ donor as a teenager, he never imagined that he would one day be the recipient of a life-saving organ.
As a business owner; Past Potentate, Shrine Circus and Rodeo Chairman, LuLu Shrine; and incoming Junior Warden, Lodge No. 2, Philadelphia, Brother Doug “Finky” Fink isn’t afraid of a little hard work. But his true calling is one of the hardest of all.
