As the paramedics rush Billy to the ambulance, they soon realize that a large cut on his side is pumping blood profusely onto the stretcher. They lift him into the ambulance and rush to hook up a syringe so they can begin giving him blood.

As they rush off, the EMT's look at each other nervously, fearing for Billy's life.

Eventually Billy makes it to the hospital, receives the necessary care and surgery and fully recovers. But what if Billy hadn't received the blood that kept him alive on the race to the hospital? And where did the blood come from? Who was the secret hero that saved this young man's life?

That hero was a normal person. It could be anybody. Look around, they could be in the room right now.

Giving blood is essential to the health and well being of many patients receiving care and it is important that we give. Up to 43,000 pints of donated blood are used each day in the U.S. and Canada, and each pint can save up to three lives. That's up to 129,000 lives being impacted each day!

But in order to make such a significant impact, healthy people like you and I must give. At the next blood drive at Cartersville High School on April 18, come out and save three lives by only giving an hour of your time and a pint of blood.

You could consider yourself a hero.