Through this whole process of "growing up," I have come to notice one huge thing: you never know when shit is going to hit the fan. It wasn't until I turned eighteen that I realized that society sort of cared about me (but only because I could vote, pay taxes, and do jury duty). A month ago, on my nineteenth birthday, I realized that I was more an adult than a kid. And with that, comes responsibility. In the past year, I started college, got my drivers license, and took off to a foreign country and stayed there alone. This all goes to say that you never know when you are going to need a very much unsolicited gift from a random stranger.
When I was a junior in high school, I asked my mom to sign my form. I decided to donate blood, and I was doing it for her. In sixth grade, my mom was given a diagnosis that she could live with, but heaven forbid she ever needed surgery, I knew that I wanted to help. When the situation fell upon me, I was able to give blood. No, it would not go directly to her. It would go to someone who, at the moment, needed it.
This past week I did the same thing. I gave blood, knowing that I was doing everything that I could at that moment to help someone in need. I am O+ blood, which means that I—and people like me—can only receive this blood type. Someone out there, especially during summer blood shortages, could use my donation. I knew that I would not feel great for the next two days, I knew my arm would feel weird, and that I would have no energy. But I also knew that I would be helping someone in need. My side effects, to me, were a small price to pay.
As I said, you never know when shit is going to hit the fan. I don't know if I will ever need blood, and hopefully, I never will. I don't know if my mom will ever need a donation. I don't know if someone I know will ever need blood and I hope that they won't ever. I do know, however, that I cannot be a match for my mom. I would hope that some kind strangers unsolicited gift would help her (New York Blood Center).
This is NOT to make anyone who is unable to donate or anyone who does not feel comfortable donating, feel bad. It is something that you do because you genuinely feel comfortable doing. For me, I know that it is something that I can do now to help people. However, I know that there are people who can't donate, or who are squeamish around blood or needles and THAT IS OKAY. It does not make you a bad person, or not useful. It's a completely random act of kindness that is not for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that.
If you haven't donated yet, and are thinking about it, check out your local blood center's website for information and a drive near you (American Red Cross). During the summer especially, there is a major blood shortage because the school blood drives are not happening (obviously). People are always in need, and if you are willing, you can help save lives.
**This article is not sponsored by any blood donation organization
