For my birthday party this year, I decided to have it at the blood donation clinic. I’ve always been a huge fan of donating blood, but it felt extra meaningful this year after my sister's leukemia diagnosis in the summer. She spent 58 days in the hospital, and we are beyond grateful that she is making a strong recovery. We are an O-negative family, so the stocks for that type are always low, but the blood products she needed were there when she needed them. She is a bit sad that she will never be able to donate again, but we all donated in her honour.
My goal was to get 45 people signed up - and at one point I had that! But between people coming down with the flu or discovering they were anemic the week before, I pulled in 31. Many of my friends commented that donating together in a party was a great experience for their first time - it helped take away the nervousness and just helped them feel more comfortable with the process. Plus, the clinic staff were so welcoming and accommodating. We all left feeling so connected, happy, and many of us booked in again for May. My hope is that more and more people get out to donate - and take some buddies with you if you’re nervous and new!
