RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: Giving the Gift of Blood

Giving blood is a quick, easy way to help others in need. Donating blood takes about an hour, is relatively painless, and besides helping others, you are rewarded with sweet treats afterward. I started donating blood as a young mother 30 years ago, and still donate as often as I can. I find that giving blood is an easy way to help fill the critical need for blood. During times of national crisis like after 9/11 and Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, giving blood was my way of helping feel connected to other families. Also, during the holiday season, it is a good way of giving to the community.

My favorite place to donate blood is at the MSU Union, because I can walk there and they play the best oldies-but-goodies music. Listening to music while giving blood helps the time go by quickly and makes the experience more relaxing. After giving blood I feel tired but satisfied knowing that I shared a life-giving donation. The tiredness also gives me an excuse for not doing household chores for a day.

The Lansing Blood Donor Center is part of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross and sponsors many blood drives locally. According to the Red Cross website, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Each week the American Red Cross has blood donation sites on the MSU Campus, in East Lansing and Lansing. You can find a blood drive location in East Lansing and near you by clicking here. Here are six reasons to give blood:

Images courtesy of the Red Cross.