All throughout high school, we had multiple blood drives sponsored by our National Honor society students. We were encouraged to volunteer through setup and for assistance during the day or to actually donate not only our time but our blood. I always could only donate my time with setting snacks or helping with check in due to my body not fulfilling the health ratio of weight and height to participate. I guess there’d been a sense of self-disappointment that I couldn’t do more to help.

Last week, I had the opportunity to donate blood at work. At first, I was a bit hesitant. Ever since my illness episode at the hospital last year, I get a bit spooked about things concerned with the hospital. It’s like I get mini flashbacks of my time there.

Honestly, I have nothing against the medical field. It’s absolutely an admirable profession to pursue and I’m beyond grateful for all they’ve done to help me. I’m now probably even healthier than I was this time last year.

Something in me wanted to give back despite my fear. I mustered up my courage and asked if I could. They were a bit skeptical at first seeing me so we weighed myself and the process was set in motion that I was going to donate my blood.

After an online questionnaire concerning if I was eligible to donate, I was positioned to lay down as they set up the bags and whatnot for the actual donation.

They drew blood from the same area they did when I was sick and it felt like I was coming in full circle. 11 months ago I could’ve possibly have needed someone’s blood but now my blood could be the provider to save someone else. It felt good that my latest medical experience was a positive one.

I never realized how warm blood was until I could feel it’s slight heat coursing through the tube. Oddly, enough that’s just how I felt about my whole experience. Warm.

I can proudly say I successfully donated 475 mL of blood. Despite the slight bruising in the area, I’m thrilled that I was able to help out accomplishing a high school dream of sorts and to be brave in overcoming my fears.

Sometimes we need to go out our comfort zone to put others in comfort. Sometimes we can’t achieve our goals at the time we want because it’s not the time we can and when we’re able to complete them, that’s when it’ll feel amazing.