2. a personally rewarding experience. learn about yourself ? (1900 characters)
The first time I gave blood, I knew my reason well. It was in time when a few hundred dollars made next month's rent. I was a pharmaceutical research project that paid anyone healthy in exchange to try experimented drugs and let them draw my blood several times a day. I didn't think that was so difficult until I fainted on the third day. Fortunately they were sympathetic enough and sent me home with some compensation. But when the 9/11 attacks occurred, I was very distraught at the sight of the victims and this incident confirmed my growing sense of need for human connection. But inflicted with my own financial and family issues, I couldn't contribute anything despite all the good intentions. This was the reason why I started donating blood; even if I may not possess the charitable assets of a millionaire or a doctor, I see this response as my connection with the anonymous recipient. My dedication to donating has been changed as I gain more insights into the medical field. As a previous emergency room volunteer and a compassionate student, I've learned about the importance of blood transfusions and how often it can save life. A small prick and an hour of my time is another way to make a difference in someone's life. I strongly believe that we are here as a community, and that we should help each other out. Since then, I have been standing in line every 8 weeks to donate a pint of blood. They would ask me the same inane questions about having sex with infected prostitutes or cavorting with the mad cows. As a matter of fact, I, too, face a fear of needles. I often get stuck improperly and multiple positions because of my thin veins. And yes, I have been deferred for a low iron level on many occasions. These circumstances have never stopped me from donating.
It's one of my purest sincere personal acts and I do it without an applauding crowd or acknowledgement. In fact the most rewarding gift was 4 years later when I received a letter stating, "thank you, your blood has save three lives." Regardless of this insignificant statistics, I literally believe in rolling up my sleeve bimonthly and donating blood. It doesn't matter if I may be a boss or secretary, rich or poor, black or white; I still sit in the same chairs while my arm is swab with the same iodine. And despite how athletic or out of shape I may be, I can only give a pint. I may have nothing more common than the Type A+ blood I share with my recipient, but my part matters and it's this pure charity and unaffected by the transitory clutter of civilization that I value. Volunteerism is like this. I want to overcome stereotypes by changing one person at a time, and I will eventually become that person no matter the outcome.
Rewarding Volunteering
The first time I gave blood, I knew my reason well. It was in time when a few hundred dollars made next month's rent. I was a pharmaceutical research project that paid anyone healthy in exchange to try experimented drugs and let them draw my blood several times a day. I didn't think that was so difficult until I fainted on the third day. Fortunately they were sympathetic enough and sent me home with some compensation. But when the 9/11 attacks occurred, I was very distraught at the sight of the victims and this incident confirmed my growing sense of need for human connection. But inflicted with my own financial and family issues, I couldn't contribute anything despite all the good intentions. This was the reason why I started donating blood; even if I may not possess the charitable assets of a millionaire or a doctor, I see this response as my connection with the anonymous recipient. My dedication to donating has been changed as I gain more insights into the medical field. As a previous emergency room volunteer and a compassionate student, I've learned about the importance of blood transfusions and how often it can save life. A small prick and an hour of my time is another way to make a difference in someone's life. I strongly believe that we are here as a community, and that we should help each other out. Since then, I have been standing in line every 8 weeks to donate a pint of blood. They would ask me the same inane questions about having sex with infected prostitutes or cavorting with the mad cows. As a matter of fact, I, too, face a fear of needles. I often get stuck improperly and multiple positions because of my thin veins. And yes, I have been deferred for a low iron level on many occasions. These circumstances have never stopped me from donating.
It's one of my purest sincere personal acts and I do it without an applauding crowd or acknowledgement. In fact the most rewarding gift was 4 years later when I received a letter stating, "thank you, your blood has save three lives." Regardless of this insignificant statistics, I literally believe in rolling up my sleeve bimonthly and donating blood. It doesn't matter if I may be a boss or secretary, rich or poor, black or white; I still sit in the same chairs while my arm is swab with the same iodine. And despite how athletic or out of shape I may be, I can only give a pint. I may have nothing more common than the Type A+ blood I share with my recipient, but my part matters and it's this pure charity and unaffected by the transitory clutter of civilization that I value. Volunteerism is like this. I want to overcome stereotypes by changing one person at a time, and I will eventually become that person no matter the outcome.
