Are we sheep?

Industry is a double edged sword. Both sides are sharp....

Side One- We NEED THEM! If it weren't for industry we would still be using whole blood or nothing at all when we bleed. Can we imagine only being able to watch as a target joint swells beyond recognition and being able to do nothing about it, or waiting for the donated blood from a relative to be processed before it is ready for an infusion? We would see a lot more of each other in the ER without industry. We would not have Home Health Care. The community had a need and industry filled it. Safer products! Less ER visits! More choices! Less joint damage! More convienance! Less pain!

Side Two- They NEED US to Exist! They are here to serve our community. They will provide the community what we ask for. If we don't tell them what education we need, or support we desire, they will make the decisions for us. I'm all for choice! If we don't give them our opinions how can we hold them accountable for not listening? They can provide us the information that they want us to hear. They provide funding for events that we attend. They want our information..... Our Business..... Our Thoughts..... Our Money.... They have discussion groups, lecture series, educational series, retreats, focus groups, etc to get this information out of us. Most of us are all for a free meal or a few more light-up pens. However we need to be diligent.... Questions that need to be asked by us (consumers) - What is their motivation? Do they want to listen? What do we need from them? How can they help our community?

We would have a hard time existing without each other. Where would all the programs be without industry? Camp Honor? NHF annual meeting? PSI (Patient Services Incorporated)? Where would some of our kids work without Industry? Ladybugs (women with bleeding disorders)? Project Red Flag? Mums(Mothers United Mission for Sons)? Community Advocacy? Dad's in Action?

If consumers all walk in one direction industry will follow or perish. Comsumers are not penned in like sheep. If you don't know the history of bleeding disorder and HIV click here.

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