If You Want Blood, You Got It

A little AC/DC never hurt anyone...

Sorry for the delay since my last post. I feel pretty bad about it, but Jen and I have been extremely busy over the past couple of months creating a bedroom for Jacob Matthew deserving of a segment on HGTV. Pictures and a LONG blog about it once completed...

Like a majority of Americans, I work at my place of business because I HAVE TO work at my place of business. There comes a time in your life where, as the Daniel Stern character (Phil) eloquently stated in CIty Slickers, "at this stage- where you are, you are..." With the recent changes in our health care coverage at the start of the new year, what was once a great advantage over other companies is now merely competitive with other companies. With the tightening economy, all of the reasons why I stayed with Verizon Wireless are falling by the wayside...

During the waning days of 2009, many of my fellow team members are burned out. The pressure to perform to higher standards coupled with less benefits is taking its toll on our department. I only took 2 of my 3 weeks of vacation this year in order to save extra time for Jacob's arrival in the coming weeks, so have been exhausted for quite some time. Recently, each of us have been talking about what we would give to have a little break in our day. Some stated that they would pay $50 to have an hour away. I made the comment that I would donate a kidney to have a couple of hours away from my desk right now...

Last week, employees received an email from our Health & Wellness Team at Verizon Wireless that explained we were going to have the opportunity to participate in a Red Cross Blood Drive at work in January. Before the I could read the email in its entirety, I clicked "reply" and said that I would volunteer. I did not have to even think twice. All I read was "spots are limited" and "first come first serve basis." I WAS getting a spot for donation. Are you kidding me? An hour away from the desk and all I had to do is give a pint of blood? Fair trade, considering I mused of donating a kidney for two hours. It was time for my body to cash the check that my mouth wrote a couple of weeks ago.

I had not donated blood in several years. The last time I did so was the last Verizon Wireless Blood Drive in 2007. It only took about 5 minutes from the initial start of the draw to the completion of the donation. The collection bag was hidden from site so I never saw the pint of blood at all. Just a day after the donation, my arm has only a small red dot as evidence of the needle's invasion. Moreover- the Red Cross will allow blood donations every 56 days! That's incredible. The website for the Red Cross (www.redcross.org) is a fantastic resource for more information about blood donation and their need for volunteers.

I have made a New Year's resolution to give blood at least 4 times this year. I figure that it is the least I could do to help others in need. I encourage everyone to go out and find a Red Cross Donation Center or the location of a BloodMobile near you. It is a small gift, but the dividends are exponential. Each pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. With my 4 pints this year, I my small donation could save 12 lives! That's pretty awesome! What are you going to do to make the world a better place this year?