Unhappily Ever After

My 16 year old daughter donated blood for the first time two months ago, and I wish there were words to describe the expression on her face when she received her very own Red Cross blood donor card along with a letter explaining to her how the blood was used. My daughter is a straight A honor student and she's also a Basketball and Track & Field athlete, so she has received numerous certificates, awards, medals and trophies, yet, none of that has ever given her the same feeling of satisfacion and accomplishment that she got when she became a blood donor. She also signed up as an organ donor, just like three of her siblings when they went for their driving permits/licenses.

Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if people would take the time to do something for the holidays that can help to save a life? A pint of blood is so much more valuable than an ipod, DVD player, XBox, Playstation system, etc... yet we never hear about people standing in line for hours, or rushing to go give blood, which is something that won't cost us anything. One pint of blood can help to save three lives, yet some lives depend on several pints a day or a week. Blood is the most valuable thing we can give. It's priceless and it can literally mean life or death, yet it's not something people put on their Christmas lists of things to do. How manypeople will die from now until Christmas because of lack of blood? How many people will be fortunate enough to be given the gift of life so they will be around to see the holidays, and many more to come? We don't have the answer to either of those questions, but only we can determine the outcome because we have the power to make it go either way. 

Krissy's husband John still needs blood, as well as so many other's. You never know when it might be someone you love whose life will depend on donated blood.

So many of us are going through our own personal problems, health issues, and losing loved ones, but no matter how difficult and painful our situation may be, there is always someone else out there who is suffering more than we are and at this time are trying to make burial arrangements instead of attending Christmas parties. So instead of throwing tantrums in the stores, like I've witnessed the past couple of days, we should all be grateful for what we have and do what we can to help those in need because that is ALL that really matters.

 

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• #15 Comment from fisherkristina 
  1/6/07 11:26 PM | Permalink

  Oh, by the way, where did you get the Give Blood graphics?  I would like to get some to use in my journal.  Can you tell me where I could get some?
  
  Krissy
  http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
• #14 Comment from fisherkristina 
  1/6/07 11:20 PM | Permalink

  I just found this entry.  Bless you, bless you, bless you for doing doing this entry.  And bless your daughter.  She is so wonderful!
  
  Krissy :)
  http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
• #13 Comment from rebuketheworld 
  12/27/06 5:57 AM | Permalink

  I used to give blood and plasma at least once a month. I havent done it for years...just being lazy...I know its important so I need to get my brown butt on down there...thanks for the reminder Mandy! ~Raven
• #12 Comment from queeniemart 
  12/25/06 3:21 AM | Permalink

  You are so right.....giving blood is such a lifesaving gift. Some can not donate blood but for those who can, DO.
  I wish you and yours a happy, joyful day today.
  love,lj
• #11 Comment from dca721 
  12/25/06 12:44 AM | Permalink

  Hi Mandy,
  That is terrific that your children donate blood.  You are right there is always someone worse off than ourselfves.  My Christmas not going so good, why does it bring out the worse in some people thru alcohol etc.?
  Hope you have a great Christmas.
  Love,
  Donna