(NewsUSA) - Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and a single donation can save lives. Shortages in the nation’s blood supply can happen any time. Donors, especially those who donate regularly, keep our blood supply stable.

Blood transfusions are essential for some patients undergoing surgery, or who’ve had serious injuries or are dealing with certain medical conditions. While everyone is impacted when there are shortages of blood and blood products, people living in communities with higher numbers of patients with rare blood types or diseases are disproportionately affected.      

Take those with sickle cell disease (SCD), a condition that affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., the majority of who are Black or of African ancestry. Many people with SCD need blood transfusions throughout their lives but often find it difficult to get the type they need. That’s why Black or African American blood donors are so vital, as 1 in 3 are a match for people with SCD.

While it may seem outdated to think of blood in terms of race – the practice of segregating donated blood by race was discontinued shortly after World War II – scientific studies have found that, to reduce the risk of transfusion complications, some people do require blood or blood products from donors with the same racial or ethnic background.

Most people can give blood, but only 3% of Americans donate each year. If you are in good health, at least 16 or 17 years old (depending on the state), and weigh at least 110 pounds, consider donating. A diverse blood supply ensures that every American has equitable access to blood and blood products. You can make a difference in your community by donating blood and by encouraging others to do the same.

Learn more by visiting the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Blood Diseases & Disorders Education Program.

Callout:

Diversity in Blood Types

Most blood types fall into one of the four major groups: A, B, AB, O. Blood donations from all types are always needed. However, some people have rare blood types. Some of the rare blood types for African Americans include U- and Fy (a-b-). For these patients, the U.S. blood supply must be more diverse. The best blood type match for patients with rare blood types often comes from donors of the same race or similar ethnicity.

(NewsUSA) - Cada 2 segundos, alguna persona en los Estados Unidos necesita sangre.  Una sola donación puede salvar vidas. En cualquier momento se puede presentar escasez en el suministro de sangre del país.

Los donantes, especialmente aquellos que donan regularmente, mantienen estable nuestro suministro de sangre. Las transfusiones de sangre son fundamentales para algunos pacientes que se someten a cirugías, han sufrido lesiones graves o padecen ciertas afecciones médicas. Si bien todos nos vemos afectados cuando hay escasez de sangre y productos sanguíneos, las personas que viven en comunidades con una mayor cantidad de pacientes con enfermedades o tipos de sangre poco comunes se ven afectadas de una manera desproporcionada.

Tomemos como ejemplo a las personas con enfermedad de células falciformes (SCD, por su sigla en inglés), una afección que afecta a más de 100,000 personas en los Estados Unidos, la mayoría de las cuales son de raza negra o de ascendencia Africana. Muchas personas con enfermedad de células falciformes necesitan transfusiones de sangre a lo largo de sus vidas, pero a menudo les resulta difícil obtener el tipo que necesitan. Es por eso que los donantes de sangre afroestadounidenses son tan importantes, ya que uno de cada tres es compatible con las personas con enfermedad de células falciformes.

Si bien puede parecer anticuado pensar en la sangre en términos de raza (la práctica de segregar la sangre donada por raza se suspendió poco después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial), los estudios científicos han descubierto que, para reducir el riesgo de complicaciones en las transfusiones, algunas personas requieren sangre o productos sanguíneos de donantes con el mismo origen racial o étnico.

La mayoría de las personas puede donar sangre, pero sólo el 3% de los estadounidenses dona cada año. Si tiene buena salud, al menos 16 o 17 años (dependiendo del estado) y pesa mínimo 110 libras, considere donar. Un suministro de sangre diverso garantiza que todas las personas en los Estados Unidos tengan acceso equitativo a la sangre y a los productos sanguíneos.

Usted puede marcar la diferencia en su comunidad donando sangre y animando a otros a hacer lo mismo.

Obtenga más información visitando el sitio web del Programa de educación sobre enfermedades y trastornos de la sangre (en inglés), del Instituto Nacional del Corazón, los Pulmones y la Sangre.

Callout:

Diversidad de tipos de sangre La mayoría de los tipos de sangre pertenecen a uno de los cuatro grupos principales: A, B, AB y O. Siempre se necesitan donaciones de sangre de todos los tipos. Sin embargo, algunas personas tienen tipos de sangre poco comunes. Algunos de los tipos de sangre poco comunes entre los afroestadounidenses incluyen U- y Fy (a-b-). Para estos pacientes, el suministro de sangre en los Estados Unidos debe ser más diverso. La mejor compatibilidad del tipo de sangre para los pacientes con tipos de sangre poco comunes suele venir de donantes de la misma raza o grupo ético similar.

(NewsUSA) - “The Amalfi Secret” by Dean and Catherine Reineking 

When Gabe Roslo arrives in Amalfi, Italy, a long-awaited reunion with his grandparents takes a tragic turn. His beloved grandfather is dead — and a cryptic diary left behind is Gabe’s only clue to the mystery surrounding his sudden death. But what starts as a personal tragedy quickly spirals into a high-stakes international puzzle. 

Teaming up with Anna, a resourceful Roman local, Gabe follows a trail of hidden truths that stretches from the stunning Amalfi coast to the corridors of global power. Secret codes, powerful enemies, and a legacy of deception pull them into a world where nothing is as it seems. With each twist, they are forced to question their allies and uncover dark secrets that could shift the global balance of power. 

Will Gabe and Anna decipher the mystery and reveal the sinister forces at play? Or will they become the next victims of The Amalfi Secret? 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3HwWiwI. 

“Nobody’s Legend” by Jason Ferguson 

Let Go of Who You Were, Rewrite Your Story, and Take Back Your Life. 

What if everything you thought defined you — your past, your failures, your struggles — wasn't the end of your story, but just the beginning? “Nobody's Legend” is a raw, unfiltered journey through adversity, transformation, and the fight to reclaim identity. This is more than a memoir — it's a battle cry for anyone who's ever felt lost, underestimated, or stuck in their own narrative. 

From the highs of athletic success to the darkest depths of addiction and self-doubt, Ferguson lays bare his journey with gripping honesty. Through moments of triumph and despair, he shows that even the hardest setbacks don't define us — it's how we rise from them that does. If you've ever felt like life was slipping away, like the odds were stacked against you, this book will prove that transformation isn't just possible — it's yours for the taking. 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/47D5Lx0. 

“The Heart of Bennet Hollow” by Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

In this historical retelling of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” an Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. But when the mine is put up for sale, a contingent of coal barons descends on the town, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople. As Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices ... and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. 

Purchase at http://bit.ly/3IhttEK. 

“Hibernation” by S.J. Epps 

The world has flipped upside down as a new class of citizens has arisen from hibernation and rejects the heterosexual idealism and culture. 

In the aftermath of legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S., two pastors are pulled into a new kind of civil war — those who vehemently oppose the new ruling and those who embrace it wholeheartedly. Lawsuits run rampant. Ministers are imprisoned. Riots ignite. Church doors are shuttered and chained. 

Pastor Sams attends the public rallies and even makes appearances in the courtroom to show his solidarity in standing with Pastor Charles. However, there is a constant fear that threatens their cause and their friendship. As new developments arise and new rebellions crop up, the fabric of America they once relied on starts to shred. The church appears to be losing its voice as the LGBTQ community lunges forth out of hibernation. 

Purchase at https://sjepps.com.