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Giving Blood is Perhaps the Ultimate Staycation

Posted 1:57 PM, June 17, 2011

By John Williams, Marketing Manager, Stanford Blood Center.

Flights are expensive, crowded, and uncomfortable. The price of gas is going up, up, up. So more and more people are staying put for their vacation, or staycation. What to do? I’ve heard that some people take a class, work on their house, or do nothing at all. Add volunteering to this list.

There are many worthy organizations that provide volunteer opportunities in your own back yard. Habitat for Humanity for instance, where individuals or groups can help build housing for those in need. A growing number of people are willing to contribute their vacation time to something that can help others.

If I said to you that you could potentially save someone’s life by giving about one hour of your time, how would you feel? This is what giving blood is about. It’s quick, free, rewarding, and think about the karmic points you’ll get. And the next time at a party when your uber-tanned friend talks about their trip to Maui, having dropped $5,000 at the Hotel Exclusiva Expensiva, you can brag, “I’m feeling pretty rested. Read a novel or two, did lots of bike rides, and, oh yeah, I saved a couple of lives.”

Comments

There are many worthy organizations that provide volunteer opportunities in your own back yard.

Comment by: Hotel in Manila at June 29, 2011 9:03 PM

I give blood every 58 days at my local Red Cross. They tell me that every pint of blood can help save three lives! I feel so awesome and giving every time I donate that I encourage all of you to donate too. It's easy, fast and I get cookies and juice afterwards so why not?

Comment by: power of attorney at July 8, 2011 2:49 PM

I tried donating blood a few years ago but was rejected. I test positive for hepatitis. I contracted hepatitis when I was a kid. I always feel sad whenever there is a blood drive at work and I can't donate. I would donate regularly if I could.

Comment by: Etan at July 21, 2011 8:35 PM

So true. Hontesy and everything recognized.

Comment by: Jaelyn at August 28, 2011 1:21 AM

Ah - someone to carry the fight. I had an operation that included transfusions. That alone has made me ineligible to give blood. I can't imagine that after a period of time, there is a test to clear me and the millions like me so that we can once again donate our blood. Thanks for this great idea, now if we could only make more citizens eligible...

Comment by: Van Attorney at October 25, 2011 12:23 PM