Blood

During class yesterday (Friday) I had an interesting and revealing conversation with my Spanish teacher, Gladis. She shared with me that last November her doctor told her she had a terminal illness and did not have long to live (however she is doing great now). She received medicine injections frequently and was incredibly depressed. She spent the majority of her adult life taking care of her two kids and her nephew (he lived with her since his mom lives in the States to work) and working long hours to run her school and teach. The disease made her slow down and appreciate the people and the beauty around her. Since her prognosis, she is much happier, walks everyday (except when it’s raining) with a friend, and cherishes the time she has with her grandchildren. In this conversation arose the issue of blood. My teacher is AB negative, one of the most rare blood types in the world. She has an upcoming surgery and needs to get blood drawn to save for her surgery. As it turns out, Guatemala has no formal blood bank or blood donation system. Unlike the Red Cross and local blood centers who collect and distribute blood, patients look to their family members and strangers for donations. My teacher said there are often announcements along the bottom of television broadcasts and newspapers asking for donations and some people even sell their blood (can you imagine buying blood? ridiculous). Her brother died when he was 33 years old because he had an ulcer, was bleeding internally, and had a different blood type than both of his siblings. He would have survived if a blood transfusion was available.

This conversation made me think about some of the smaller health systems we have in place that are helpful but need to be used more frequently. First of all, shout out to Liz Martin for being a religious blood donor! Second of all, know your blood type! My teacher learned her blood type when she developed complications giving birth during her second pregnancy and almost died. There are many local blood banks and drives that can save a life.

I am going to pledge to donate blood frequently when I return. Think about it. Do it!