Somewhere out there is a man or a woman who, unbeknownst to them, has given me a precious gift: saving the life of my sister. You see, for one reason or another, that person made a choice to visit a clinic or a truck or a blood drive and chose to donate their blood. Sure, they probably knew that their donation would help someone else, would make someone smile. It goes so much deeper than that, though. That blood donor, that person who donated platelets, they gave Ashley the gift of life, and to me, the gift of calling my sister just to say hi, hearing her dumb jokes that make me laugh, and receiving her encouragement even when she’s the one that needs it. More than ever, I am thankful for that person, for their sacrifice, and for their donation.

Although Ashley is the one dealing with the ups and downs of cancer first-hand, I can honestly say that her journey has had quite the impact on my family and me as well. We have learned some of life’s hardest lessons: be patient, don’t sweat the small things, be grateful, seize the moment, listen, do what you love, say “I love you” at every opportunity… The list could go on and on. At the end of that list is the most recent lesson I have learned: I can make a difference. Just like that blood donor whose donation saved my sister’s life, I can make a difference in the life of another: someone’s son, daughter, wife, husband, mother, father, friend.

Ashley has touched each of your lives, and I know a lot of you have reached out to see just how you can help, how you can support. Here’s my idea: let’s all make a pledge to donate blood. If we can get behind it and encourage friends and family to join us, we could literally save hundreds of lives and touch even thousands! Donating blood takes about 45 minutes. Donating platelets takes about 2 hours. Both donations are minimal investments of our time, but the love that it shows the recipients is immeasurable!

In honor of Ash, and in gratefulness for those who donated to save her life, I am challenging each of you to reach out and do the same. Pay it forward, pass on the gift of life, and join me in this virtual blood drive from now until April 30th.

Join the challenge and pledge to give. Share your pledge with friends and family and encourage them to join in, too. Then, during the month of April, visit one of your local donor centers, which can be found at http://www.redcross.org/give-blood.

Donate blood, donate platelets, or donate both. Either way, I am confident that the recipients and their friends and family will be forever grateful. I know that I am.

“If you’re a blood donor, you’re a hero to someone, somewhere, who received your precious gift of life.”

Thank you for your gift.

Visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements for donor eligibility guidelines.