Our nation’s blood supply is at a 20 year low, and the winter storms have prevented donations while increasing the need for more blood. I hope you’ll join me in donating to your local community before this winter ends.
I first started donating in high school because, honestly, all my friends were – best peer pressure story ever! However, I started having issues with chronically low iron and I gave up on donating. Then, in August 2020, an explosion at the Port of Beirut in Lebanon triggered calls for aid with a special need for blood donation. Though a world away, this inspired me to donate to my local community blood supply. I now take an iron supplement for one week before donating (so easy!) and donate every 8 weeks. I have now hit my 2 gallon milestone (16 successful donations!), which I am so proud of.
Donating blood, if you are able, can be a happiness boosting habit. Consider joining me during this blood drive to put sleeves up at Firstup, and see if you are able to make this one of your new habits in 2024!
Challenge your friends (or anyone for that matter) to a friendly competition! Who will win the battle to do the most social good for your community?
Put your virtual blood drive campaign against one or even multiple other campaigns to see who can recruit more blood donors for the American Red Cross.
