The letters A, B and O are viewed by most as letters in the alphabet. But for many, those letters mean so much more.

That is because those letters correspond to the various blood types that flow through our bodies.

While you may not need blood for a scrape after a fall off a bike or cutting your finger, the American Red Cross, hospitals and other medical facilities are on the front lines during natural disasters or times of war when large quantities of blood may be needed to save a life.

We applaud those at Chesapeake High School who organized and participated in the second blood drive of the school year, both exceeding the goals set.

According to the Red Cross, the requirements for donating blood are: to be in generally good condition and feeling well, individuals must be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in many states), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height) and have a Red Cross card or other form of photo ID.

Giving blood only takes a few minutes of your time, but affords the possibility of giving someone else the rest of their life.