WELCOME  TO  MY  AUTHOR  PORTFOLIO

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Our theme this month is blood.

 

Blood is full of nutrients, so it’s not surprising that some animals seek blood as their primary food source. And it’s not just ticks and mosquitoes. Over 30,000 species subsist on blood, either exclusively or predominantly. The only mammal to do so is the vampire bat.

 

Humans are on a higher plane and would not stoop to consuming icky, sticky blood. The mythical vampire, though, has no such qualms.

 

Dracula, though fictional, was based on an actual person, Vlad Tepes, aka Vlad the Impaler (not to be confused with Zlad the Entertainer). Vlad was born November 8, 1431 and so would turn 594 this month if he were still around. Which of course he isn’t. I hope. There are a number of well-known Vlads, but VTI is perhaps the most famous, despite, or because of, his infamy. VTI was not a nice person. 

 

Speaking of blood, do you know your blood type? Blood type would hardly matter in a world where no one gets a transfusion or in a world where transfused blood is artificial. After all, your car uses synthetic motor oil. Why not synthetic blood? We're getting closer to that reality. But until then, blood typing matters to avoid transfusion reactions, which can be severe.

 

Your​ blood type can affect your health in ways that have nothing to do with transfusions: 

types A and B are not as attractive to mosquitoes (but how would a mosquito know until it bites someone?)

Type O is not as likely to clot, which confers a slightly lower risk of stoke and heart attack.

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The American Red Cross, which provides about 40% of America’s blood and blood products, estimates that 29,000 units of RBCs are needed each day in the U.S. Yet, just 3% of those who are eligible donate each year. So consider donating blood. There's a better than average chance you could get a free T-shirt.

 

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