Volunteering Through Blood Donation in Vancouver

Some acts of giving do not require gloves or garbage bags, just a little courage and a kind heart. Recently on March 25, a group of 5 of us made our way to the Canadian Blood Services location in Vancouver, right by BC Children's Hospital, to donate blood.

Something worth knowing: According to Canadian Blood Service a single blood donation has the potential to help up to 3 lives. And if you happen to have Type O blood, you're a rare breed, a universal donor whose blood can help anyone. Walking in with that knowledge made the whole experience feel even more significant.

Our volunteers showed up excited and ready, even if a few of them were just a little bit squeamish about the whole needle situation. That kind of courage showing up despite the nerves is exactly the spirit that makes this group so special.

We did have one small issue on the day. Micheal, one of our volunteers who had been looking forward to his very first donation. However he was unable to participate after some medical checkups in the lead up to the event. But true to form, Micheal did not let that stop him from being there. He stepped into the role of moral support for Captain Scott, making sure every volunteer felt good,and stayed comfortable. He even ended up cheering them on throughout the whole process. It meant a lot, and honestly, the role suited him perfectly.

At the end of the day, we all gathered and talked about experiences and why we love to volunteer. Everyone shared a little bit of their story: who they are, what brought them out, and why giving back matters to them. Those conversations are always vital to any event, we run since it brings people together and allows more time to really know the person behind the passion.

This is what we mean when we talk about building community. Not just the action, but the connection that follows. Every event is a chance to meet someone new, to be reminded that you're not doing this alone.

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves that day literally and figuratively. And thank you to Michael for showing up in the best way he could. See you all at the next one.