The most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide is become a regular blood donor through the American Red Cross here in Philadelphia. As someone slightly anemic, I’ve been deferred from donating blood many times for not having enough iron.
My first time donating blood in Philadelphia was shortly after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. I looked for a local donation center and was surprised to find one on Google Maps that was within walking distance of me! I was surprised that my iron levels were high enough without trying and I wondered if I could donate blood again. Then after my donation, I received this in the mail based on my blood type:
After receiving this mailer I began donating plasma at the same donation center every month, because that’s as often as I could donate plasma. I have to make sure my iron levels are good enough to donate by regularly consuming an iron-rich diet. If not for myself, it was to be eligible to donate plasma and save a trauma patient’s life. When I ask fellow donors why they donate, I’m so inspired that both those who donate as a result of someone else they know who’s received blood AND those who don’t know anyone but donate because they can.
Did you know that 45% of Americans know someone who has benefited from a blood transfusion, yet only 3% donate each year. Thousands of blood drives have been canceled and we are facing a national blood shortage. While we are practicing social distancing during this COVID-19 crisis, we still need blood donors!
I post on social media regularly to document my blood donor journey, and to encourage other people to donate if they can. I love sharing touching stories of recipients of donations, notifications of where my own donations have ended up, and what I’m doing to improve my iron levels (anemia is more common in women, especially Asian American women) so I don’t get deferred.
I also love that wherever I travel I can always find a local donation center through Google Maps. That way I can stick with my schedule of donating every 28 days AND I have the opportunity to invite others to join me (when they otherwise may not have known there was a donation center in the area).
I hope my story of why I became a blood donor inspires you to find local causes you care about and to use your influence as a Local Guide to invite others to become more engaged in your community!