The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, I donated blood for the very first time ever. I don't really know why I had never donated before; perhaps it was the needle or the fact that the thought of draining that much blood from my body made me queasy. But after the disaster of the hurricaine I needed desperately to feel like I was doing something, no matter how large or small, to help, so I donated blood. I didn't realize until today how such a simple act could be important months later.

I reaceived a phone call today from the Life Share Blood Donation Center. There is a woman in my area who will be undergoing a liver transplant soon and they are trying to stock pile blood for her in the event that she needs it. Apparently, my blood is a match to hers and they called to to ask if I would be willing to donate blood for her tomorrow. How can one possibly say "no" to that?! So tomorrow morning I will head out and do that. It is nice to know that something we take for granted can help save the life of another person. If you can, donate blood--make it a gift to yourself because you never know when you might need it from someone else.