Blood Drive Tuesday, October 29th

We are called to serve and we can serve by giving--

Every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood. Our very own, Nancy Hudson is one who feels blessed because of the donations.
She writes:
"The human adult body has between 8-12 pints of blood. On one day during my recent hospitalization, I received 6 pints. I don’t remember that day, but I remember weeks of receiving two pints a day every other day. Praise God the blood was always there, or I wouldn’t be here. I have two artificial knees and two artificial heart valves, but blood can not be created in a lab. If you are able, please donate and make it a habit of every 54 days. You will not be sorry and the 3 lives that are saved from every pint will be grateful and so will their families."

84% of blood donations are given at blood drives

Patients receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders, those undergoing transplant surgery, mothers suffering from birthing complications and premature babies are all examples of patients who need blood

In just an hours time, YOU can help save up to three lives with a blood donation
St Luke’s Blood Drive

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall
to sign up online for an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
or alternatively
to sign up for an appointment or for further information, contact Larry Nelson
612 599 5240
[email protected]

Leviticus 17:11 The life of the flesh is in the blood

The history of blood transfusions is an interesting study of myths, traditions and science. The
idea of transferring blood to a sick person to restore their health is quite old and was present in
ancient myths, including those of Odysseus and Medea.

Ancient peoples were certain of the importance of blood but they knew none of its biology.
Blood was hidden, visible only in a wound or during childbirth or menstruation. Some ancient
Greeks considered blood to the be the same as the soul or spirit. Observant Jews and
Muslims followed dietary laws that forbid the consumption of blood and special preparation of
meat was required. These measures also had added health benefits helping to prevent the
spoilage of meat. As Christians we connect blood with spiritual life through communion.

Today we know red blood cells carry life giving oxygen to the cells of our body and white blood
cells defend us from invasion by foreign pathogens. Platelets help form clots that can prevent
bleeding. Blood is constantly being produced by stem cells in our bone marrow. Our network
of veins, arteries, and capillaries is about 60 thousand miles long. Blood plasma is a
combination of salt and water similar in concentration to water in the sea.

The possibility of successful blood transfusions required significant scientific advances. In
1628 British physician William Harvey discovered the circulation of blood, exploring the
relationship between arteries, veins and capillaries. In 1658 microscopist Jan Swammerdam
observed and described red blood cells. Soon afterward people became interested in the
possibility of blood transfusions.

The first recorded successful blood transfusion was performed in England in 1665 by Physician
Richard Lower keeping a dog alive by transfusing blood from another dog. In 1667 successful
transfusions were reported from sheep to humans but successive efforts were not successful.
It wasn’t until 1818 that the first successful human to human blood transfusion was performed
by British obstetrician James Blundell to a patient for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.
The blood donor was the husband of the donor. It was fortuitous that this choice was
successful (he might have been a universal donor). Successive transfusions were not as
successful, however, since not all blood from donors was compatible to the patient.

In 1901, Austrian physician Karl Landsteiner discovered the first human blood groups. Soon
after all four blood groups were identified and the interactions between them determined
whether a transfusion would be safe. in 1907 Ludwig Hekoen proposed that blood transfusion
would be more successful if the blood of the donor and patient were cross matched to exclude
incompatible mixtures. This was followed shortly by the first blood transfusion using blood
typing and cross matching. It was soon discovered that blood group O is a universal donor. In
1916 the first blood transfusion was performed with stored and refrigerated blood. Another
significant discovery occurred in 1937 when the Rh factor explained blood incompatibilities
between certain mothers and fetuses, at that time a leading cause of stillbirths.

Today blood can be stored and separated into red cells, platelets and plasma. Plasma can be
further processed to treat many health conditions including hepatitis, chickenpox, protein
deficiency and hemophilia. Truly, blood donation is the gift of life!