Though it’s the end of August and schools around the country are getting ready to start up (or have already done so) and most of us have already taken our vacations, summer is not over yet. There are still weeks of warm, lazy weather ahead, time for barbecues and fishing (for those so inclined). In the words of the old song, “livin’ is easy.” But Ira Riklis knows that living is not necessarily so easy for those in dire need of a blood transfusion at this time of year.
For one thing, the demand for blood transfusions is growing faster than the numbers of us willing to step up and donate. For another, summer and winter holidays are marked by shortages of blood of all types. To be fair, less than 38% of us here in the U.S. are eligible to donate blood. But if you’re one those who are able to donate, now’s a good time to step up and do so. And mark your calendar to do so again during the winter, if not sooner. Knowing how critical the need for blood is year round, Ira Riklis, like many others, makes it a point to donate several times throughout the year.