Editor, The Times,
I was saddened by the news of former Blackshear Times staff writer K. T. McKee’s death. She wrote a piece for The Times in which she recounted some aspects of her treatment for cancer. I corresponded with her briefly.
I imagine that when she wrote her piece that she must have had very little energy. Since she put effort into writing it, I would like to point out the difficulty she had in obtaining blood products (specifically, platelets).
Following the start of the COVID pandemic, blood donations decreased. This caused problems for cancer patients. I know because I was one of them. Chemotherapy can cause a decrease in red blood cells and platelets to dangerous levels. In normal times I would have received a red blood cell transfusion when my hemoglobin dropped below 8, where 15 would have been normal. Because of the pandemic, and the shortage of blood products, the hospital changed the criteria for a transfusion from 8 to 7. Similarly, and like K. T., I could only get platelets when they had fallen to very low levels.
In general, it can be difficult to help people. Some people don’t want help. Some people don’t listen. It can be hard to help people even if all they need is information. However, donating blood is an action you can take that is guaranteed to help. The people who need red blood cells or platelets, really need it. I can tell you from first-had experience that a blood donation will be appreciated. I urge everyone who wants to help people, and relieve suffering, to donate blood.
Tim Truett
Bethesda, MD
