Blood Donor Don Smith on Why He Gives Blood Regularly
"There was a time in my youth when I did not donate blood. Then I took an all-expense-paid, four-month vacation to beautiful Parris Island, South Carolina - courtesy of the United States Marine Corps.
The day came for blood donations, and our Senior Drill Instructor encouraged the entire platoon to participate. He ended by asking if there were any questions. One recruit asked if it hurt. The rest of the platoon braced for the expected harangue about weakness, and the irrelevance of pain.
Our Senior DI, a thrice-wounded veteran of three tours of Vietnam, silently scanned the platoon before answering in an unexpected soft voice:
Getting shot hurts.
Watching another Marine die because the Corpsman doesn't have enough blood to keep him alive hurts.
No Marine is ever going to die because this Marine is afraid of a little pin prick.
God willing, I will continue to donate blood for another third of a century."
To join Don in his lifesaving efforts, make an appointment to give blood by calling 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or clicking HERE.
