Saturday, January 2, 2010

Giving Life

I'm celebrating the New Year by scheduling a blood-donation appointment with the American Red Cross. I figure what better way to celebrate another year than by giving someone else a chance at another year, too? Did you know that one pint of blood can save three lives and that less than 38% of the population is eligible to give blood? I'm getting off-track...

I was going to save this idea for another three years, but I have what I think is a fantastic idea for celebrating my 50th birthday (Ouch-that hurts!), so I'm going to share it. I think I will ask that instead of a party or wrapped gifts, people give the gift of life to the American Red Cross in celebration of my birthday. What do you think of that? Would it not be VERY cool if I could get at least 50 people to donate?! I could even sit at the blood donation site and greet everybody and thank them. My blogging buddies could give blood and post pics of themselves (giving blood) on their blogs. The chickens in the bunch could make a cash donation, instead. (Really, I'm thinking this could work!)

I think it would be an honor to make such a difference in the world on my birthday, instead of just opening boxes of Ex-lax or Ben-Gay and feeling depressed the next day. I would truly love to feel like my turning 50 could be something to look forward to with excitement and joy.

So, that's my idea. I have three years and a four months to plan it all out, and I'm still open to other, similar ideas, as well. Feel free to share my idea with anyone you like, and if you have one even better, do share.

Happy New Year!!

UPDATE: Thanks, Melisa, for pointing me to Manic Mommy's Got Blood? Event/Giveaway! I am so on it, and I invite anyone else to follow suit!

26 comments:

  1. I think it's a wonderful plan. I give blood every 2 months like clockwork (well just about), and would love to do a donation in honor of your 50th birthday - or even your 47th! ;)

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  2. Since we have been in Minnesnowda, we go to Feed My starving Children on everyone's B-day to celebrate (fmsc.org). Plus it keeps us from spending some serious loot on everyone. Cheap, I know but hey, like you said, were making a difference in the world = )

    Besides, I got too many tattoos to give blood and I hate needles. My son does it every three or four months. Should I be worried??

    May

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  3. sounds like an awesome idea!! Count me in. :)

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  4. I think that is a WONDERFUL idea!

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  5. I think it's an awesome idea! I need to register to donate blood here, but they have weird guidelines and I haven't been determined enough to jump through all of the hoops to do it.

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  6. your idea is wonderful, but since you have SOOOO LONG to wait for that birthday I'm gonna up the ante.

    ANYONE can organize a blood drive. All you have to do is contact Carter bloodcare through their website. If you don't have a facility they will send out "the bus". An RV rigged out as a mobile blood bank.

    Then you start calling everyone you know and posting signs getting people to sign up for time slots to donate. After that you "meet and greet" your donors and keep the line moving. Getting some folks to bring cookies and punch makes for a wonderful PARTY/get together

    So, instead of 50 pints of blood....how about celebrating the WHOLE YEAR of your 50th and trying to get 50 Blood Drives??? complete with a tally of units donated.....

    :-)

    so's ya know. I used to organize quarterly blood drives for my old church.

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  7. oh yeah, forgot to mention. They won't take my blood...so organizing the drives is my way of compensating....

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  8. and I'll still send you a box of Depends anyway....just cuz I love you that way.

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  9. My best friend, Christy, donates blood and platelets regularly- she's very passionate about it. I've tried regularly for the past 8 months to donate but am always just shy of the required iron number. But I keep trying!!

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  10. You could join forces with Manic Mommy, whose 3rd annual virtual blood drive is on now (and will be in three years too!)...in fact, when you donate this month, have someone take a pic of you so you can enter her contest: she's giving away prizes!

    http://manicmommy.blogspot.com/2010/01/got-blood-its-that-time-again.html

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  11. I think it is a FAB idea!!!!
    Happy New Year Barb!

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  12. I think it ia great idea-and remind people, too, that if they can't give blood for whatever reasons, they can also give a cash donation (or use their MyPoints, or grocery store points in some places) to the American Red Cross. :)

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  13. Your idea is SUCH an awesome way to celebrate your birthday. If you went ahead with it, you could definitely sign me up! I would do it in a heart beat. :) I usually donate a few times a year, but have fallen behind. I'd love to get back on track!

    Happy New Year! :)

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  14. Melisa, THANKS so much for hooking me up with Manic Mommy! That's such a great idea.

    MM-Wow. I'm thinking 50 blood drives is going to be over the top for me (what in the world did you have for breakfast this morning to give you such ambitious thoughts?!), but I love the idea of hosting a drive. Thanks!

    Kori-I didn't know you could donate your MyPOints; that's cool!

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  15. This is not a good idea, it is a GREAT idea!! I love the way you think. Count me in, sistah!!

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  16. What an excellent idea! I'm just happy ya'll left yourself a little time to get it all planned.

    Have a great week my friend and may God bless ya'll!!!

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  17. The only reason I quit giving 2 years ago was because the last person to draw my blood didn't do it correctly and when my hubby saw the big bruise that lasted forever he was not comfortable having me continue. I will psych myself to do it again though, thanks to your post. :0 I just need to ask for someone that has a good rep..
    And, our church has the bloodmobile come at least once a year to all 4 services, so we have broken records here in Anchorage!

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  18. This is a cool idea. I might have to consider it too when I hit 50. Count me in... I donate every 2 weeks... switched to platelet donations about 2 years ago. It takes more time, but it allows me to help save more lives more often.

    Great for you... send me a birthday invite... so I can send you a pix of me donating... k?

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  19. Dude, there is NO WAY you're almost 50. NO way whatsoever. Zero chance.

    I love the idea, and ... well Melisa already pointed you in the right direction :) I'll make sure I donate for your birthday, as long as my iron is high enough that day!

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  20. Great Idea! Yes sending a cash donation is better than sending the anticipated "Ex-Lax and Ben Gay" gag gifts for the occasion... (I'm 43 and have upend my use of both products, so send those to me). I think turning 50 is going to be a great milestone... Happy Birthday!

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  21. that is a great idea. i'm one of the non-eligible, sadly. i'm not a chicken... they can just never get a vein. so they ask me not to come back. *sigh*

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  22. Hey! That is SOOO crazy that you posted about this at the same time I kicked off the annual event! You got a ton of comments on this post (my readership has slowed down) so thank you so much for sharing this info with them (not sure if you added my blood drive info after you posted but if you wanted to do another post about it, feel free! Thanks so much! And checked out the pics of your family and your sis's and your mom's sisters I think they were -- so beautiful, all laughing together! Very lucky!

    steph

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  23. Hi! This is Gloria from the American Red Cross social media team, and I just wanted to say thanks for the awesome support for our blood donation programs. :) What an amazing idea for your birthday! Best of luck, and thanks again.

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