I was terrified of needles for years and avoided blood donation even though I saw my mom donate over the years. I knew she was having an impact but it changed when I learned about the blood shortage during COVID in 2020. Then my mom told me about my grandfather.
He served on the front lines in the Korean War for two years. He watched his friends die because they didn't have enough blood to save them. He donated for over 60 years until they told him at 84 he was too old.
That story changed something in me. I'm still nervous every time, but I now donate blood regularly and, for the first time, have donated platelets. I think about my friend's child and her severe burn wounds, the victims of mass shootings, my grandfather and all those soldiers. I think about the person who needs what I'm giving right now.
Every few seconds someone needs blood. My mom taught me this wasn't just about helping strangers but it's about carrying forward what my grandfather believed. That we have a responsibility to each other.
He served on the front lines in the Korean War for two years. He watched his friends die because they didn't have enough blood to save them. He donated for over 60 years until they told him at 84 he was too old.
That story changed something in me. I'm still nervous every time, but I now donate blood regularly and, for the first time, have donated platelets. I think about my friend's child and her severe burn wounds, the victims of mass shootings, my grandfather and all those soldiers. I think about the person who needs what I'm giving right now.
Every few seconds someone needs blood. My mom taught me this wasn't just about helping strangers but it's about carrying forward what my grandfather believed. That we have a responsibility to each other.