Member-only story
How to Give Life
Thoughts and prayers.
Although those matter in tragic situations, they have become a punchline. A symbol of words but no action. “Thoughts and prayers” have become synonymous with doing nothing to really help when people are need.
We can do better.
Give life.
How to Give Life
Most of us who are in reasonably good health are capable of literally giving life. Here are three key ways you can actually contribute to saving a life.
- Donate Blood.
Every eight weeks, you can drain a vein. This is something I committed to do in the wake of so many mass shootings in this country. I know at some point gun violence, car accidents, natural disasters and other events will injure people. People who are seriously ill need blood. The American Red Cross does a good job of letting donors know how their blood is used. I have learned that I helped patients in Columbus, Ohio, Raleigh, North Carolina and many other places across the country by giving blood. It is a great feeling to be there for others in their time of need.
2. Register to be an organ donor.
I am an organ donor. I do this in honor of my father-in-law who needed a heart transplant but died before he could have one. Even if something happens to me, I want to…