Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win a thousand battles.

Are you concerned that giving blood will hurt? Read John Morton's Giving Blood. John Morton is an author, former Olympic athlete and commentator for Vermont Public Radio. He overcame his fear of needles and donated blood in memory of his wife who died of cancer.

Myth vs. Reality

M: It will probably hurt a lot.
R: The truth is, all you'll feel is a slight pinch for a few seconds. That's it!

M: I'll probably faint if I give blood.
R: Most people feel just fine after donating.

M: You can get AIDS from giving blood.
R: Absolutely not! A sterile needle is used for each donation and then discarded.

M: You should only give blood once a year.
R: Actually blood can be safely donated every eight weeks, or six time a year.

M: Most people get paid for their blood.
R: Wrong again! The Red Cross only provides blood to patients which comes from volunteer donors.

M: I don't know anyone who needs blood right now.
R: There are hospital patients and accident victims who need blood every day of the year.

The debate about whether Senator John McCain is “McBush’’ continues, but on Thursday one thing will be clear: The presumptive Republican nominee and President Bush will be in Iowa touring areas hard hit by floods.

Mr. McCain’s campaign said on Wednesday that he had decided to cancel a town-hall-style meeting in Minnesota on Thursday morning and visit Columbus Junction, a city of fewer than 2,000 residents. [...]

The McCain campaign said that it was not trying to step on Mr. Bush’s trip and that the two men’s paths would not cross. “We’re not going within 30 miles of the city he’s in,’’ said Charles Black, one of Mr. McCain’s senior advisers.