To the editor:

This week, I reach a personal goal — one 17 years in the making. On Saturday, I’ll be donating a pint of blood that will bring my total to 75 gallons.

Of all the achievements in my life, I take special pride in this one, because I know how much it’s needed, and how many people can be saved.

After the Boston Marathon bombing, many New Englanders rushed to give blood, and that’s wonderful.  But remember that since blood takes a couple of days to process, the blood that went into the veins of those victims came from those who donate regularly, though the rush was helpful in replenishing the supply.

We need blood all the time, not just in the wake of a tragedy.  In order to meet the needs of the community, the Rhode Island Blood Center must collect 240 to 280 pints every day. In order to do that, they must rely solely on the generosity of donors. And it’s the only source of blood and blood products for hospitals in Rhode Island.

We hear about donating blood all the time. There are public service messages on the radio and television. We drive past the famous red-and-white signs telling us of upcoming blood drives. Just last week, there was a drive at the State House.

Your potential for saving lives doesn’t end with the donation of a simple pint of whole blood. When I first started donating, I was told that I had a high platelet count. Platelets are the blood component that stops us from bleeding. It’s of tremendous value to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, because they have a seriously compromised ability to produce platelets naturally, so platelet transfusions are necessary to ensure they retain the ability to prevent bleeding.

Platelets can be removed from whole blood donations, but there is only about 2 ounces of platelets in every pint. That means it would take five separate donations to produce one therapeutic dose. But donors who choose can donate platelets only, which are removed from whole blood during the donating process.

Unlike red blood cells, which can be stored for six weeks after donation, platelets only have a three-day window when they can be transfused. Because of this short shelf-life, the need for platelet donors is continuous.

Donors can also save lives through bone marrow donations or peripheral blood stem cell donations if they happen to be a match.

Much is asked of us every day, and it’s usually financial. Charities need help and ask you for money. The government needs to build roads, bridges and run schools, so a tax is levied. The poor need to be fed and clothed, so we donate food and clothing.

But every time you give a pint of blood, you walk out of the donor center knowing that you may very well have saved somebody’s life. There’s not much that compares with that. Accident victims whose lives have been saved by transfusions are well aware of the value of giving blood. Those who have watched their loved ones receive blood or platelets from an anonymous stranger understand and appreciate the gift.

It doesn’t take long, and it saves a life.

While a platelet donation takes approximately 90 minutes, you get a chance to sit in a comfortable chair, watch movies or just relax and read. If you are interested in making an appointment to donate at the Providence, Warwick, South County, Woonsocket, Westerly, or Aquidneck Island Donor Centers, call (800) 283-8385 or visit www.ribc.org.

Rep. John G. Edwards

Tiverton

Rep. Edwards represents Portsmouth and Tiverton.