This past week I was sitting in the C2 Field House waiting to donate blood when an interesting conversation caught my attention.
A couple of ladies sitting behind me were talking about the pins they had received for donating blood for the past 25 years. They were talking back and forth about the length of time they had been donating like it was nothing.
I can honestly say I was impressed; 25 years is a long time for someone to commit to showing up to a clinic several times a year and donating blood. It is such a selfless act. And all they received for their years of commitment was a pin? That's ridiculous.
I have only donated blood three times during my life and it should be a lot more. I remember several times during college, when a blood donor clinic was set up at the school and I ignored it, citing the long wait as my reason not to donate.
Seeing these ladies who have given up so much of their time to help out complete strangers made me feel terrible about all those times I had the opportunity to donate but decided against it. It's helped motivate me and changed my opinion about donating.
I now no longer see the one and a half hour wait as a nuisance, but rather a positive. The more people coming out to donate, the more blood gets collected.
I feel anyone who has donated blood consistently should be commended for their generosity and selflessness. Think of how many people one lady who has donated blood for 25 years would have helped?
I guess that's the real reason why many people donate blood. It's not for the pin. It's not for the recognition one receives, because most of the time long-time donors go unnoticed for what they do. It is for the satisfaction of being able to hopefully save someone's life.
This is another reason that has motivated me to go out and donate blood at every opportunity.
I have yet to know someone who has needed blood and I hope I never do, but I'll be glad to know that if someone does get into a situation where they're in need of blood I have done my part to help.
All you long-time donors out there, I'd like you to know that not only did you get a pin recognizing you for you generosity, but you also have inspired someone to go out and donate.
I just hope one day I'll be able to get that pin and know that I've help save as many lives as those ladies probably have.
