This week, many around the world have taken the time to celebrate Saint Valentine's Day. While not recognized as a national holiday with banks, post offices and stock exchanges closed, most of us enjoy demonstrating our love, appreciation and affection to those near and dear to us with the gift of a card, flowers and candy — mostly of the chocolate variety.
Differing theories abound as to the origins of Valentine's Day. One account holds that Valentine, a third century Roman priest, continued secretly marrying couples despite a law signed by Emperor Claudius II banning marriages. You see, ol' Claudius thought young men would be more willing to serve in his army if they remained single.
Valentine was caught and jailed. While in prison, many young people came to visit including the daughter of a prison guard. On the day he was to die for his "crime" (Feb. 14, 270), he sent a note to the girl thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. He signed it, "Love from your Valentine" - the first "Valentine."
The icon featured on nearly every Valentine's card is a heart, many with a cupid's arrow piercing it. For centuries, these symmetrically shaped red hearts have evoked feelings of love and compassion deep from our innermost being.
In reality, the heart is not that symmetrical. Slightly larger than your fist, it is a powerful muscle beating approximately 100,000 times a day as it pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your body. With four valves, it circulates blood throughout arteries and vessels nourishing every part of the body and keeping it functioning properly. Every day, thousands require blood transfusions because of illness, surgery and accidents. Without this life-sustaining fluid, recovery times would be greatly extended and many lives would be cut short.
The only source of blood is donors like you and me who donate through organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC). I am registered as a donor with both and donate regularly.
I first donated at work just weeks after graduating from college. I found there was nothing to be afraid of and continued giving a couple times a year. A few years later, a group of co-workers and I headed to a donor center after work one evening to donate for a co-worker who was undergoing medical treatment and needed blood. I gave once in a hospital in a western state where an infant nephew was hanging on to life in a neo-natal intensive care unit. When donating, I often think of him and the other newborns I saw there as well as my late father who needed transfusions due to complications from open-heart surgery in 2001.
With thoughts of these loved ones, I'm inspired to keep donating as long as I can. In fact, I am well on my way to a personal goal of giving 100 pints by age 60. I've participated in blood drives in churches, schools, work and local donation centers. Donors can contribute whole blood every 56 days, although I space it out a little more.
If you are in good health and able to donate, why not make a belated resolution to become a regular blood donor and give the ultimate "Valentine" — the gift of life? The American Red Cross or the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center will be glad to provide more information.
Bill Schryver is an operations specialist for a financial services firm. He is active in Boy Scout and Cub Scout leadership positions and enjoys camping and working with the Scouts. He also plays trombone in community bands.
