Donate blood
At Carlsbad Medical Center’s laboratory blood bank, we’ve seen many times that in the despair and aftermath of a horrible accident, a patient’s only hope in surviving is a multitude of blood transfusions. Blood donors are so crucial to the mortality of a community, especially a community of industrial and oilfield traffic. January is National Blood Donor Month, and we would like to use this time to increase awareness of how important blood donation really is.
United Blood Services has collection crews that visit our city using their famous “Bloodmobile” two to five times a month. This would increase if the donor base in Carlsbad increases as well. Roswell has as many as 12 or more collection days per month.
Stephanie Seabrease with United Blood Services is the point of contact for donation appointments or questions at 1-575-840-8178. Stephanie says, “Less than 10% of the eligible population donates blood. It is commonly said that ten percent of the population is taking care of everyone. Donors are the most amazing people in the world to me. They give without asking or taking. They take time out of their busy lives and schedules to be an unseen hero. They also get asked to give over and over again.”
Donors are also encouraged, if able to do so, to go to unitedbloodservices.org and enter the zip code to find the nearest blood drive. Overall in the past few years, system wide, there has been a large decrease in the donor base. In 2017, they saw 7,500 less donors in New Mexico than in 2016.
Three types of donations are taken in Carlsbad: whole blood (these donors can donate every 56 days), double red cell donation (these donors can donate every 112 days), plasma donations can also be done after 1:00 pm.
These donations are so important. Just to give you some perspective, Carlsbad Medical Center’s Laboratory blood bank transfused 485 units of red blood cells, 43 units of fresh frozen plasma and 28 units of platelets just at Carlsbad Medical Center alone in 2017. Many lives were saved thanks to these transfusions.
Here are some upcoming blood drives in our area. We sincerely encourage anyone who is eligible to donate blood and help us save lives.
Jan. 19: Penasco Valley Telephone Coop in Artesia from 8 - 11 a.m.
Jan. 30: Dexter High School Library in Dexter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jan. 30: Artesia High School Special Services Room in Artesia from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 21: New Mexico State University Carlsbad Gym from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 27: Mosaic Potash from 6:30 a.m. to noon
Feb. 28: Mosaic Potash, Shaft 5, from 5:30 - 9 a.m.
Shana Griffith, Blood Bank Coordinator
Carlsbad Medical Center
Condemn hate speech
History has a way of repeating itself. In 1936, Mussolini, the Italian Duce and fascist, invaded and quickly conquered Abyssinia [Ethiopia] which he believed, like Trump believes today, is a "shithole"country. Duce's boldness inspired Hitler to increase his campaign against the Jews resulting in the Holocaust and the murder of tens of millions of people because of Nazi racist doctrine.
Steve Pearce who hopes to become governor of New Mexico must immediately, and strongly, condemn the hateful, vile, and racist statements of Trump made in a White House meeting yesterday with seven congressional witnesses including Sen. Durbin who confirmed and condemned the president's words. If Pearce does not want to believe Trump said those words, then he should ask Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy who was in the meeting and who, like Pearce, remains silent.
Silence in the face of bigotry and hate makes those silent bystanders appear to approve of the hate and bigotry and only encourages further hate.
On Dr. King's National Day of Remembrance, we all must condemn hate speech and bigotry and remember that Dr. King and this country openly stands for what is best in America.
Pearce should not become governor of our state, ignore hate speech, and remain silent any longer.
Jeffrey B. Diamond
Carlsbad, NM