Public Service Announcement.
Gave blood yesterday, and I simply can't say enough that I urge all of you to do the same. There really is no easier way to save a life. And ever since I learned that it is much better if the races of the donor and recipient can be matched because of different blood proteins, I have tried to be even more careful to make the time to donate, as donors of color are always desperately needed.
Yeah, it can hurt a bit, especially if you're like me and your veins sometimes are difficult to find; it can take a while, particularly since they expect you to wait a full 15 minutes after donating before leaving the facility; and you will never have the satisfaction of knowing the final destination of your blood. But if there's any chance at all that you might be able to help, say, a premature baby or someone injured in an accident or natural disaster, isn't that worth a little inconvenience once every two months?
Jewish law considers pikuach nefesh, the preservation of human life, to be of paramount importance, for which it is even permissible to break the Sabbath. I consider donating blood to be in fulfillment of this law, and I would love to hear clergy members of all faiths urge their flocks to share this precious gift with others.
Perhaps, as I am, you are fortunate enough to never have needed a transfusion yourself, but there are thousands each day who do. Please, consider donating blood. By such small deeds of loving-kindness does the world continue to turn.
Yeah, it can hurt a bit, especially if you're like me and your veins sometimes are difficult to find; it can take a while, particularly since they expect you to wait a full 15 minutes after donating before leaving the facility; and you will never have the satisfaction of knowing the final destination of your blood. But if there's any chance at all that you might be able to help, say, a premature baby or someone injured in an accident or natural disaster, isn't that worth a little inconvenience once every two months?
Jewish law considers pikuach nefesh, the preservation of human life, to be of paramount importance, for which it is even permissible to break the Sabbath. I consider donating blood to be in fulfillment of this law, and I would love to hear clergy members of all faiths urge their flocks to share this precious gift with others.
Perhaps, as I am, you are fortunate enough to never have needed a transfusion yourself, but there are thousands each day who do. Please, consider donating blood. By such small deeds of loving-kindness does the world continue to turn.