Kerri’s Top 5 Reasons for Giving the Gift of Life
By: Kerri Cokeley
As I was sitting in the donation chair today at the American Red Cross of Clark County, I realized that donating blood is one of the most immediately gratifying volunteer activities I perform throughout the year. All I give is one hour a month, six times a year and – volia – I’m saving lives!
In casual conversation I’m always surprised by the number of people who are eligible to give, but don’t. I’m sure that many of the excuses I hear as to why individuals can’t donate are warranted… but I think that there are others out there who are just afraid to try it. (Kinda like kids who say they don’t like a certain food, even though you know they have never tried it…)
Anyway, I’m proud to be a blood donor and know many of you out there are too. To celebrate being a donor, I’ve created my own Top 5 Reasons for Giving the Gift of Life. Drum roll please!
5. I love to visit Little Debbie Land (That’s what I call the table of goodies that I visit immediately after my donation so I can rehydrate and get a little something on my stomach.)
4. Karma points (I sure hope that if I ever need blood, there will be enough in supply to save to me.)
3. Lower bar bill (I know, you should not indulge in alcoholic beverages for at least 48 hours after your donation… however, the light headed effect stays with me for at least 60 hours J)
2. Getting out of work to give (I gave my first blood donation when I was 17 because I got out of school early… Now, any of us could start a donation day at our workplace and use it as a great excuse to step away from our computers for a while.)
1. Being considered a hero (There are not many opportunities we have in life to save another’s life, so I make sure to keep my donations on the calendar for every 56 days.)
So, there they are! Are there reasons that you like to give that I haven’t listed here? I would love to hear from you. If you have never given a donation of blood and would like to learn more, you can visit www.givelife.org.