'Super Blood Donors' For Disasters?

The Food and Drug Administration is asking advice from ‘blood experts’ this week about the possibility of lessening the required time intervals for people giving blood from the standard 8 weeks down to one month. Also, the Blood Products Advisory Committee is asking if just a 48-hour space between giving would be allowed for special circumstances but only with a doctor’s permission.

Dr. Louis Katz, executive vice president of medical affairs for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, is in favor of the idea especially when some tragedy like a 9/11 occurs. He stated, “If things got really bad, we would like the ability to draw more fully qualified donors more quickly. We’d like already-committed donors that we could look to in a bad pinch.”

The move would essentially create a potential fleet of ‘super blood’ and also regular donors available on short notice. The FDA will consider the advice of the committee before making the change, and their timeframe and answer is unknown at present. But in a rather bold statement, Dr. Katz said, “We were going to do this anyway if we had to. What are we supposed to do, let people bleed to death?”

Blood is the most crucial aspect of all human life. Even the Bible confirms that way back in the Bible’s third book. God confirms in Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” He goes on later in that verse to reveal the spiritual importance - even in the physical blood of sacrificed animals back in that day. Verse 11 continues, “And I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” This crucial passage symbolized, and looked forward to, the future ultimate sacrifice. It would come in the form of the ‘Lamb of God’, Jesus Christ, who would arrive later in history to provide forgiveness of all sin once and for all for the entire human race.

Verses abound in the New Testament concerning how the sinless and unique blood of God’s Son was instrumental in the salvation process. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says it in no uncertain terms. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Many other key verses verify how the shed blood of Christ on the cross is the primary ingredient in the redemption of mankind, his entrance into God’s family, and eventually eternity in heaven. The below verses are just some examples of this great theological reality – all based, of course, on faith alone in the Savior’s incomprehensible sacrifice.

- Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

- Colossians 1:19-20 “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

- Hebrews 9:22 “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

- Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

While health officials seek to single out and use so-called “Super Blood Donors” in case of some catastrophe, the greatest universal disaster continues on in the form of unforgiven human sin. (Romans 3:23) This has consequences now, and infinitely worse ones after this life ends. And it can be fully solved through the single greatest ‘Super Blood Donor’ ever - Jesus Christ. He voluntarily offered up Himself and shed His pure and precious blood in order to save all that would trust Him as their personal Savior! And to take advantage of His redemptive offer requires no outside permission, approval or waiting period. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5-6)

Bill Breckenridge