By Aaron Smullin

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood and that need never goes away. In March, Laird Goldsborough would understand just how important blood donation is.

Laird, who lives in the Kansas City suburb of Leawood, Kansas, ate bad oysters and spent 21 days in medical care, undergoing various medical procedures which resulted in receiving 13 pints of blood throughout the 21-day period.

As a result of that experience, Laird wanted to give back so he became a Red Cross Blood Donor Ambassador, often the first person a donor sees when arriving to give blood.

Ambassadors have a critical role at blood donation sites, greeting those arriving, registering them to donate, answering questions, providing information and supporting them throughout the process.

“I wanted to help out and give back. I have 13 pints of blood coursing through me because of strangers,” Laird explained.

Laird now considers it his mission to educate the public on the importance of blood donation and the lifesaving impact it can have. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries.

He wants donors to know how great of an experience donating blood can be and to have first-time donors become repeat donors and have others spread the message of blood donation.

“There is always a need for blood, often a critical need,” Laid said.

The Red Cross national blood supply has dropped by about 25 percent since early August, as donor turnout fell following an active hurricane season, one of the busiest travel seasons and back to school activities.

People need to donate as soon as possible to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

Laird said there several reasons for people to donate, adding the actual donation time for a pint of blood is no more than 10 minutes and the entire process takes about an hour.

Donors can track their donation but the most important reason, he said, is that a donor can help save a life.

Please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).