We can all make a difference in the world we live in!

I am about to hit a milestone. On September 10th I am scheduled to #give blood for the 50th time.

Recently I have seen and read many articles about giving. Reading the measure of a man is how he lives and what he gives. Then last week I was asked if I wanted to help out in a charitable cause. I instantly responded that I love to give whenever I have an opportunity.

There are many levels of giving that a person can do.  Over the years I have given plenty of money away to charitable endeavors. I have given people jobs that allow them to support their own lives. I have done multiple of acts of kindness that are never publicized.  But I really think that giving blood is the easiest of all of the giving I do, since it’s in me to give.

Close to five years ago my friend Y.K. was struggling with a cancer riddling his body. I didn’t think there was much I could do except pray for a healthy recovery and continue to be his friend. He died in January 2015. When I went to the house of mourning to be with the family to help to comfort them, I did so after giving blood. For whatever reason while I was giving blood that day, the staff put a sticker on my shirt that said ‘be nice to me I gave blood today!’ Normally that sticker would come off shortly after I left the clinic but for some reason I forgot to take it off. When I was talking to my friends daughter that night she noticed the sticker and told me that it was people like you that made a difference in my dad’s life. She explained that in September he had a blood transfusion that gave him about 30 days of vitality where he was back to his old self. He had energy to go out and do things that he was having trouble to do. For those thirty days he was stronger and able to enjoy life.

I doubt that it was my blood going through him that month. But it was -and is- within each and every one of us to make the difference in a loved one or friend’s life. It takes an hour or so generally. And it makes a difference in the world we live in. 

I would like to encourage everyone who reads this to consider finding the closest clinic to go to, and give some blood. Make a commitment to go 5-6 times a year. If you are like me, you will find it one the simple gifts you can make. And you know you are making a difference that is positive and fulfilling.

www.blood.ca to connect and find a location close to you.

 #CanadianBloodServices  #CanadasLifeline.