I first gave blood when I was interning at Pratt and Whitney. I was 20 at the time. I’m up to just under 6 gallons in my lifetime, but I COULD have donated much much more. There were years that I just didn’t donate at all because I “couldn’t fit it in”.

Then I posted on Facebook last year that I had given blood and a friend that I hadn’t seen in close to 30 years thanked me. Turned out they had just had a transfusion.

Point is you never know who will need blood. Maybe you, or your mother-in-law or your sister or your friend from 1991!

Also I’m trying to make a good name for Karens around the world and make “being a Karen” mean something other than having our panties in a twist all the time. I really don’t turn into the hulk that often!

So, today’s my birthday, so why not give find a Red Cross and donate.

Tag me too! You’ve got a month.  #metookaren

They say it’s better to give than receive, and I couldn’t agree more. Which is why I’m donating my birthday to the American Red Cross!

I’m hosting a SleevesUp virtual blood drive and asking friends and family to pledge to give blood in the next month. Together, we’ll track our pledges, cheer each other on, and, most importantly, provide a lifesaving gift for patients in need.

To get started, make your pledge by clicking the red button above, and then visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your donation appointment.

Thanks for helping celebrate my birthday and for helping save patient lives with your generous gift. Please pledge to give blood today!