Donating blood is a superpower! Outside of medical providers and first responders, most of us will never have the opportunity to directly save a life. But in just an hour or so of your time, you can give blood that could save a premature baby, an accident victim, or someone like my dad, who almost died of bleeding ulcers when I was in high school, and was only saved through multiple transfusions.

When you’re young, healthy, and busy, it’s easier not to make time for giving blood. But now that I’m entering my second half-century, it’s hitting home that I might not always be healthy enough to give, so now is the time.

This drive is in honor of my mom, who donated religiously every six weeks for more than 40 years. She was type O negative, the universal donor, and she felt like this gave her a special mission to help.

If you’re eligible to give, please consider making an appointment this month to celebrate my 50th birthday!