Week 38: Saving 1-3 Lives While Bettering Mine

I've been donating blood regularly for the past 10 years. It's become such a priority for me that I purposely purchase plant-based protein powder (vanilla Orgain Organics is my go-to since it's often on sale at Costco) because I've found that it helps keep the iron levels of this vegetarian high enough to donate safely. 

I made my first blood donation back in high school, did it a few times in my 20s, and then had some health issues, became a mother of three, and went through a few other big life things that kept me from keeping it front of mind. And then at the age of 39, when looking for ways to positively impact my community during my first Kindness Countdown to my 40th birthday, I made a donation. 

And I've never looked back. 

I am an introvert who, if I'm being honest, really prefers to never leave the house. Like, ever. 😅 But I am also a proponent of building a community because I believe it's important to a happy, balanced life. I do this purposely in places I frequent, finding them more enjoyable when connections are made. My every-other-month blood drive is one of those places.

I've gotten familiar with many of the Versiti staff and Cedarburg Lion's Club members that coordinate each of my blood drives. They work hard to make it efficient and energized and actually fun! And they reach out to the community to provide good food and drinks and prizes for those who participate in the trivia as they eat and regroup (and socialize) after their donations. 

During my last donation I ran into an old friend while waiting for my vitals to be taken, the phlebotomist who drew my blood said "I remember you" when she saw my tattoos and we caught up on our kids from my last donation, and I chatted with a retired co-worker who told me it was nice to be connected on Facebook and that she's enjoyed seeing me so happy the past few years after a rough time of life she knew I had made it through. (She also said her daughter had recently relocated to the Milwaukee area and is looking for a job in HR, so if anyone knows of anything, please let me know!) And then the coordinators of the drive reminded me that the next donation scheduled was in June, the annual cookout...and that they'd do their best to get black bean burgers, remembering I am a vegetarian.

All this to say that if you're looking to better your life, this is your reminder to find a community and commit to being a part of it. 

And if you can do it before, after, or while saving 1-3 lives every 8 weeks through a blood donation, that's even better!!

Contact your local Versiti or Red Cross offices for donation locations.