I was an on/off donor for a few years, until my dad got sick, and over the course of the last 4 years of his life, he received numerous blood transfusions. Someone he never met, or rather SEVERAL someones took the time to literally give of themselves so that a stranger could stay alive. That cemented the importance of being an active donor, and I've been as regular with my appointments as possible since then. It's likely that at some point, someone else in my family or circle of friends will be needing blood, and another stranger (or maybe it will actually be me) will be there for them.
Since I started, I've been very vocal about being a donor, and have managed to convince friends, co-workers, and family to join me. I just had a new recruit from my office come out with me last weekend when I went out for my 43rd donation, and she made her first.
