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anna
my blood test.
one day i had a blood test and i was happy to give my blood. im glad i gave blood.
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Diane
I'm not a baby anymore
Being afraid of shots and needles my whole dissuaded me from donating blood. Then something changed me. A local blood drive at the elementary school my triplets attended needed volunteers. Although I couldn't bare to donate blood I was delighted to provide child care for the donors. As a donor thanked me for watching her child I felt I should be thanking her for donating her blood for all of us. It really reached into my soul and stayed with me until I finally made my first blood donation at my church's blood drive a short time later. I have been donating blood several times a year for over 10 years now and always remember the donor that unwittingly changed me into a donor. Recently, someone very close to me was diagnosed with an immune disease which requires the need for numerous blood donors each week to prepare the antibodies to keep my loved one from catching something as simple as a common cold. Without the dedication of blood donors and their donations, I'm not sure if my loved one would still be with us.
Give it a try!
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Rod Tatsuno
Blood Lust
No, not a vampire, but a controlled bleeder. I have to have my quarterly "letting" and it's difficult finding a medieval barber to do the honors. A great way to lose some ounces. I first met a Red Cross barber, uh, technitian, during college and much like skiing or boarding, it became a Baaaa-d (Idaho habit). When my son was in pre-school, I was able to save on daycare by having him ride my stomach as my life source slowly dripped away. So, when he was old enough, it wasn't a big deal for him to get into the habit. Having been a Big Mtn extreme skiing competitor, it wasn't a big deal..unlike with so many young red-blooded American guys that will jump off cliffs, but are afraid of the itsy-bitsy tiny needle prick.
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Michelle
My First Time
So I've always been afraid of needles. When I went to the doctors office I would freak out a little. A blood drive was being held at my school and I wanted to give blood yet I still hated needles. I decided to go ahead and give blood anyways. The day comes and I am given a quick physical and then the needle was put into my arm. It only hurt for a second and then there was no more pain. I felt happy. That day I got over my fear. But most of all, I gave blood to those who truly needed it.
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Jose M. Soto
Volunteering at the American Red Cross (Lorain County Chapter)
My name is Jose Soto, age 16, born in Guayama - Puerto Rico, live in Lorain - Ohio, and I am a volunteer receptionist at the American Red Cross - Lorain County Chapter. Volunteering at the American Red Cross has been an awesome experience! I have the opportunity to voluntarily work in the office area on Fridays. I take a lot of phone calls and also do clerical work too. I just started volunteering at the Lorain County Red Cross in the begin of May. And I will say, working in the office area can be challenging. The staff at the Red Cross are very great and caring people, I love them all! During my time of volunteering at the Red Cross, I have noticed they they have a disaster relief service. And I never heard about them till now. It is very great to see our local residents helping others in times of emergency or even a disaster. I am usually a person that loves to work very hard. And although I volunteer as a receptionist at my local chapter, I fell that I need to do more than sitting at a desk doing clerical work all day long. I fell like also volunteering at the disaster relief services! I am not volunteering the disaster service because it is not the time for registering. But when the time comes, I will register, because I love helping others that are in a need of help! I am so thankful that I have the opportunity volunteer at an organization that has been around for a long time helping others not just in the U.S., but in other countries too! Thank you American Red Cross for doing such a great service to the world!
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Alexis
Making a difference !
The first time I ever gave blood was back when I was in high school, I was so nervous I did not know what was going to happen or if it was going to hurt. I would never turn down an opportunity to save other peoples lives if I was capable of doing so. I gave blood about 3 times so far which means I have saved 9 lives by just simply agreeing to give blood. It is somewhat uncomfortable but there is no pain during the process other than the pinch when it begins. I am so happy to be here today knowing Ive made a small difference in the world. The only thing I ever wish to do is to meet the patients who received my blood, it would mean the world to me. I constantly think who are these people who Ive helped everyday and just thinking that one of them is a small child who is able to smile because everything is going to be okay. If I could I would give blood every single day, I think everyone should view it the same. Most people do not want to give blood because they are afraid its going to hurt, then I think to myself..if there are people and small children out there suffering in hospitals..I can take a pinch from one small needle for 15 minutes and go about my day. So - help others out ! GIVE BLOOD
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Madeline
Accidental Blood Registration Volunteer
While trying to find out about another program through the NY Redcross, I came upon this program. Because noone knew me, the process took time. But once everything was straightened out, I was brought on board. Since being a volunteer at the blood donation events and meeting many different people.
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Danielle Stone
Amazing Time at Westeron Oregon University Blood Drive
I've given blood a handful of times now, I love it, and I will keep donating. Especially after yesterday. There was this woman there by the name of Luz who was absolutely wonderful! She was friendly, talkative, and down right funny. She stayed with me the whole time I donated, laughed at my jokes, and was genuinely amazing. People like her make my donating experiences memorable and I just want to tell her thank you! You made my day and my donating experience the best one yet.
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Diana
Help People to Help People
Volunteering at a blood drive is great, especially if you can't give blood yourself. Sometimes I feel bad that I'm not eligible to give, but helping others to get motivated and helping to keep things organized is a fun and rewarding way to be involved. Then I still feel like a made a difference, and getting other people excited about service gets me excited too!
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Larry
Giving makes me a better person
My volunteer story begins some 25 years ago. I was a young man who worked hard hours often under the hot sun, in the pouring rain or amidst a blizzard. I was also a bit on the self-focused side. When my employer began promoting participation in blood drives, I was more than happy to donate blood in a climate controlled atmosphere on company time. This was the beginning of a lifetime habit of donating blood.
Many years later I changed jobs and my focus. I was still donating blood on the company's time, but I was now doing it to help others. A few years later I became unable to work as I was accustomed. I still continued to donate blood; however, I knew that there was something more I was supposed to do. I was called to do more than I was.
I began to search out opportunities to volunteer my time and talents where they could do the most good. I soon ran into a problem; too many needs and not enough time and energy. Among feeding the hungry, supporting victims of domestic violence, and housing the homeless, I also support the American Red Cross by volunteering in human resources. In this role I am able to help those who help others. The skills I am learning are very rewarding in their own right, but the heartfelt thanks I receive on a regular basis and the knowledge that I am helping to save lives are far more rewarding than any paycheck I have ever cashed.
My volunteering experiences have made and continue to make me a better person.
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