30 for 30!

I finally reached the big 3-0! Over the past year I have listened to people try to explain to me how turning 30 would feel. Many have been on the verge of a mental breakdown. Their lives are not where they “thought” they would be by now. The other few, have been thrilled about turning 30.

I have thought about how I would feel turning 30 for a few years now. I acknowledge where my life is, and that I am not done with college yet, BUT I know how blessed I am with the life I have. Thirty is the new 20, or so they say.

This year I have made a promise to myself (in celebration of turning 30 years old) I vow to donate to 30 charities over the next year. This may be in terms of a financial donation, or actual items. I have a few in mind already, and I know friends will be posting their events throughout the year.

For starters, the Red Cross is a great donation opportunity; I will be donating blood this week. I donate blood as often as I can. I made a promise to donate as much as possible, after I was in a major car accident with a fatality at the age of 16. This process is rewarding. One donation can save up to 3 lives. It also costs nothing other than my time.

Due to blood donations, my cousin Randi survived a childhood blood disorder.  Randi explained to me, “I developed a rather serious blood disorder when I was 10 years old. We tried medication after medication to control it but little worked. I began needing blood transfusions regularly to keep my blood counts up. As a sick kid in and out of the hospital it was a relief to find something that at least helped some. I am very grateful to people who choose to donate blood. Charity and selflessness on their behalf helped me to become a healthy person.”

Randi Hunt

Stories like these are a true testament to the appreciation of those receiving blood donations. I can only imagine the difficulty for those going through any situation needing blood transfusions, which is why the Red Cross is such an important organization to me.

Unlike myself, a family friend of mine, Jack, has O+ blood type. Being O+ every other blood type can receive transfusions from his donation. Jack persistently donates every 8 weeks. He is also a double red cell donator, meaning they can collect two times the amount of usable red cells, while returning the rest of his blood back to his body. This helps each donation save more lives than the standard blood donation.

Jack Nelson

If you would like to donate blood or money to the Red Cross open the link here.

The Soldier’s Angel Organization, Homeless Angels, Children’s Miracle Network, and Families Against Narcotics are on my list for this year donations. I would love your suggestions of your favorite charities, and what type of donations they may need. Some of the smallest organizations need the most help.