Yesterday I gave blood. I know that it is not earth shattering news. Lots of people give blood regularly, but it was my first time. Funny that I have been on the organ donor registry and the bone marrow registry for years, but have never donated blood before now. Maybe it was the fear of rejection? After all, it is bad enough to have people shun you because of your weight, occupation, race, or other reasons, but to feel less than because your blood is "bad" would be terrible. Okay, so it is a pretty ridiculous fear, but there are a list of reasons that blood cannot be accepted including illnesses, anemia, medications, places of residence and travel, and recent tattoos or piercings. Could be a fear of needles? I get nervous before every blood draw and vaccination, yet when the time comes, I always end up wondering why I got so worked up over something that is basically nothing. I suppose it is completely possible that I never had a specific reason not to give blood before, but I never had a specific reason to give blood before. So I am sure that you are all wondering, after 42 years, what made yesterday THE DAY?
For the last year, I have been involved with the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. A friend took us to a meeting, and my husband and I signed up to do a half-marathon to help raise money for cancer research in our own community. Throughout this year, we have met many family members and caregivers of children dealing with, or lost to some form of cancer. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), malignant, aggressive, rare-these are just a few of the terms we have gotten used to hearing when describing what the children we are running for are facing. Yesterday, we were presented with a way to help these kids without lacing up our shoes and without having to ask those in our community to reach into their wallets and pocketbooks. Our Rally NW Team asked us to simply attend a blood drive and donate in honor of our Rally Kids. What we thought was going to be simple turned out to be memorable instead.
We met a wonderful little girl and her family yesterday. They came for the blood drive, but they were not part of Rally and had never even heard of it. Anna is five. She enchanted the crowd waiting outside in the heat, and the crew on board the chilly bloodmobile. Her fuchsia polka dot dress and bubblegum pink crocks with the personalized charms were adorable. She had big beautiful eyes, a ready smile, and loved to giggle. She listened carefully to all of the explanations of the medical staff, and patiently stood out of the way while her father went through all of the questions and paperwork which would allow him to give blood for his first time. During his donation, Anna got bored and went outside. Anna had snacks and colored with my son. She danced around the parking lot with her older sister and shared hugs with her mom. What was so remarkable about Anna? This amazing little girl with just the slightest hint of blond here and there on her scalp had already received over 14 blood transfusions to save her life. She was there that day to learn where the blood that helped to save her life had all come from. Anna made our purpose real and the day memorable.
I may not want to run half-marathons for the rest of my life, but I am going to make an effort to give blood as often as I am able. Giving blood is simple. Giving blood can save a life. Giving blood does not require super-human strength or a heroic effort, though there may be some fear and discomfort to overcome. I will never again view this fabulous elixir as "just blood." Each pint I donate will be Anna, Mia, Rhema, or another real person with a real need.
For the last year, I have been involved with the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. A friend took us to a meeting, and my husband and I signed up to do a half-marathon to help raise money for cancer research in our own community. Throughout this year, we have met many family members and caregivers of children dealing with, or lost to some form of cancer. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), malignant, aggressive, rare-these are just a few of the terms we have gotten used to hearing when describing what the children we are running for are facing. Yesterday, we were presented with a way to help these kids without lacing up our shoes and without having to ask those in our community to reach into their wallets and pocketbooks. Our Rally NW Team asked us to simply attend a blood drive and donate in honor of our Rally Kids. What we thought was going to be simple turned out to be memorable instead.
We met a wonderful little girl and her family yesterday. They came for the blood drive, but they were not part of Rally and had never even heard of it. Anna is five. She enchanted the crowd waiting outside in the heat, and the crew on board the chilly bloodmobile. Her fuchsia polka dot dress and bubblegum pink crocks with the personalized charms were adorable. She had big beautiful eyes, a ready smile, and loved to giggle. She listened carefully to all of the explanations of the medical staff, and patiently stood out of the way while her father went through all of the questions and paperwork which would allow him to give blood for his first time. During his donation, Anna got bored and went outside. Anna had snacks and colored with my son. She danced around the parking lot with her older sister and shared hugs with her mom. What was so remarkable about Anna? This amazing little girl with just the slightest hint of blond here and there on her scalp had already received over 14 blood transfusions to save her life. She was there that day to learn where the blood that helped to save her life had all come from. Anna made our purpose real and the day memorable.
I may not want to run half-marathons for the rest of my life, but I am going to make an effort to give blood as often as I am able. Giving blood is simple. Giving blood can save a life. Giving blood does not require super-human strength or a heroic effort, though there may be some fear and discomfort to overcome. I will never again view this fabulous elixir as "just blood." Each pint I donate will be Anna, Mia, Rhema, or another real person with a real need.
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