Do you want to save a life?

   I give blood on a regular basis these days. This is something I've only done for a couple of years or so and I only began doing it in response to my ex-wife, Lori, being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. Blood transfusions are frequently required as part of this disease's treatment process, hence the need for donated blood.

   I am reminded of Lori's struggle every time I attend the blood donor clinic. Her very supportive group of family and friends have engaged in special blood donor clinics, in her honour, and there is a plaque with her name on it mounted on a display in the lobby of the clinic, commemorating this.
   This is, of course, only one of the many reasons why you might want to donate. Donating blood, as we have all heard many times, saves lives. It is not a particularly difficult or even time-consuming thing to do either. Yet, many of us do not.
   Lori's illness is what prompted me to begin donating on a regular basis but, like a lot of things, once you get over the hump of doing it the first time, it then becomes routine. The clinic staff are already into the routine and once you're on board, a donation goes amazingly quickly. You are only allowed to donate whole blood (plasma can be donated much more often and takes less time) once every fifty-six days. This amounts to about six donations a year and about seven and a half hours of your time, total. In a year. So do it!!

    Blood, however, is not the only life-saving body part we, as humans, are able to donate.
   I have a friend from high school who is desperately in need of a new liver. His name is Gordon Kirkland, he lives in B.C. and he is on the list for a new liver, once one is available. At the moment though, he does not believe it is likely he will receive one in time and is, to use his own words, scared shitless. Part of the problem is that he has one of the rarer blood types. The bigger issue, though, is that people simply do not make arrangements for their organs to be donated at their passing. This apparently is a bigger problem in B.C. than in other parts of Canada because of the ethnic mix there, whole populations of people who believe that their corporeal body parts are essential to them in the afterlife. I suspect the overriding issue, though, is a general unwillingness for people to consider, beforehand, the further defilement of their physical remains, after death.

   Personally, you can take my remains and do whatever you want to with them after I've died. When that time comes, I will have left my physical body so far behind that its disposition will be of no significance to me whatsoever. At the same time, if there is any positive to be be gained by my passing, if even one person can be given sight or a liver that works better or a heart that will power their system for a few more years then why wouldn't I try and make this happen for them?
   When you've made up your own mind about this, you need to make sure you've talked it over with the people you love. They will need a clear understanding of your feelings around the issue. I have done this already and Doralyn feels it only makes sense to donate.

Lori and my two sons, Bryant and Ben.

   Blood regenerates. Take a little time out of your life and share yours with someone who desperately needs it more than you do.
   After you've died, your physical body means nothing to you. Let your loved ones know that it can be used to relieve someone else's pain and perhaps even save their life. It's as easy as signing your card or going online and registering.
   My friend Gordon is an award-winning author and humourist. Lori is the mother of my children. They are both unsure of their futures and I believe they are both scared. I wish only the best for both of them. Below are some websites you can click on to find out more about the donation process and how to go about it.  

http://organ-donation-works.org
http://beadonor.ca
http://www.blood.ca

Gordon Kirkland--the young and the slightly less young

   The first link will take you to the Canadian Transplant Association website. There you will find a map of Canada and, simply by moving your mouse to the province you reside in and clicking, you will be able to access donation information for your particular area.
   The second link is more specific to the organ donation process here in Ontario.
   The third link will connect you with Canadian Blood Services and will tell you anything you need to know about donating your blood.
  
   My friends, please take the time to consider donating blood, tissue or organs. The process involved takes very little in the way of time and energy and costs nothing. I have talked here about two people in my life who have either benefited or could possibly benefit from a donation but we all know someone, I believe, who could benefit now or in the near future. Creating a mindset in which such donations become the norm in our society will eventually benefit us all! It is the best and easiest way to give the most precious gift you can!