"New blood" may be understood as a metaphor for the vibrant activity that strengthens the community and organization. While a person's flesh and bones look like remaining the same though undergoing weakness and changes, red cells, which take up almost all the blood cells, are made every second with about 2 million new red cells. In 8 weeks, there will be new blood cells. According to the source, "Blood carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, waste products, cells, and hormones. It is part of the circulatory system that includes the heart and blood vessels." Without newly made blood cells, the body will not maintain its system. Likewise, our organizations and communities will be debilitated and gone forever if we do not have robust cells. In an emergency, we need to receive new blood from others. But in a normal situation, blood needs reproduction in the bone marrow. This means bones must be strong. Then, suddenly, we realize our body is a holistic, interdependent organism. For a healthy community, there are many things to consider. See the three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Red cells do life-sustaining activities, which are essential to human bodies and to all organizations. White cells perform life-defending activities, which are also indispensable. Platelets function as life-saving agents in emergencies. Likewise, we must check that we have this function in our organizations.
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes) carry oxygen to all cells in the body. The oxygen is carried to cells on a protein in red blood cells (called hemoglobin). Hemoglobin is what makes the blood red. It also carries carbon dioxide away from cells so that it can be exhaled by the lungs. Almost all of the cells in the blood are red blood cells.
- White blood cells (leukocytes) are an important part of the immune system. They fight infection by defending the body against bacteria, viruses, and other germs. Most of the body’s white blood cells are outside the blood, and in other tissues of the body. Normally, there are very few white blood cells in the blood.
- Platelets (thrombocytes) make the blood clot and help stop bleeding. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets travel to the area and clump together (the source).