Please help Boston

I was planning on writing about what it means to be a sport after covering a paintball event for the local paper yesterday, but I find instead the sports world, and this entire nation, reeling from the tragedy that happened today in Boston.  There is simply no other way to describe this event other then what it is, a tragedy.

Not only did this happen at an event with thousands of people crowding the streets, it happened on Patriot's Day, a day that commemorates the begninng of the American Revolutionary War, and indeed the beginning of our nation.  You don't need to be much of a historian to know how important Boston was to the founding of our great nation.  We may not be the best country in the world, but we are definitely among the best, and this holiday is meant to celebrate that.

So while people gathered to celebrate what is essentially the beginning of our nation, we have to sift through the aftermath of a horrible incident that yet again clearly targeted innocent civilians.  There is not much that your average person can do outside of the greater Boston area to help, but there is one major thing that we can do.

We can give blood.

Organizations routinely spring up quickly to raise funds to help out after tragedies like this, but money is not what these people need.  Based on early reports, there are scores of amputation injuries and tales of blood loss.  With over 100 people injured, the blood banks in the Boston area are sure to run low as the medical professionals in the area continue to do everything in their power to insure that there is no more loss of life.  If you give blood, it may not go to Boston, but it will help any area blood banks replenish their stocks as they are sure to help out in some way if at all possible.

There is plenty of money to aid in emergencies.  There is never enough blood.

I have never given blood due to my massive needle phobia, but after today, I plan on donating as soon as I can.  Please do this if you are able.  Worst case scenario, you will help someone fight another day.