Give the gift of life this holiday season

We are writing with a plea to campus and community members to give the gift of life this holiday season at the 11th annual winter edition of the Carolina Blood Drive at UNC.

The drive will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, in Fetzer Gym on South Road. Parking will be free in the Cobb Deck off Country Club Road.

The holidays are a tough time for hospitals and patients. Many of us are extremely busy, yet the need for blood donations doesn’t stop.

To give at the drive, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated whole blood since Oct. 19 or double red cells since Aug. 25.

Participating takes about an hour, of which just 10 minutes are for the donation. This holiday season, take time to help the sick and injured among us. To make an appointment for the drive or for more information, visit www.unc.edu/blood.

Katrina Coble

Carolina Blood Drive committee chair

UNC

Children waiting to be adopted and loved

November is National Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate past, present, and future adoptions.

Adoption means many things to a child: permanency, love, safety and, above all, a place to call home. Many people are not aware of the thousands of children in our public foster care system. Most of these children come into the state’s custody due to abuse and neglect. It is hard to fathom the hardships and obstacles these children have faced, but one thing is for sure, in loving environments these children heal and thrive.

These loving environments are created by dedicated families who have made a commitment to adopt waiting children and give them the love and attention they deserve. These families give the ultimate gift: their home, their lives, support through good and bad times, and the security every child desperately needs. These families serve as inspiration to their communities for their selfless efforts to improve the lives of children in need, helping to ensure them a happy, healthy future.

Since 2004 the number of adoptions in the U.S. has dropped from 22,884 to 17,438 in 2008. While the number of adoptions may have decreased, the number of waiting children has not. There are more than 3,000 children awaiting adoption right here in North Carolina. Now, more than ever, communities need families who are willing to embrace adoption, allowing children to have the comfort and security they deserve.

If you think you are ready to open your heart and home to a child in need, call 1-800-632-1400 or visit www.chsnc.org to find out how you can make a difference.

Ken Tutterow, President and CEO

Sandy M. Cook, Executive Vice President of Programs

Children’s Home Society of NC