My Story of How I Became An Active Blood Donor

My Story Of How I Became An Active Blood Donor

By Jonnelle Fullbright

There are people out there every day that need blood for various reasons. According to the American Red Cross every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. That more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. (redcrossblood.org) Hi, my name is Jonnelle Fullbright a junior at Meeker High School and I want to tell you what made me decide to give blood and how it has changed me to the reason that it is so important to me.

Two years ago my life was changed forever and it had made a huge impact on me in so different many ways. I had just turned sixteen in March and was in driver’s education at the end of my freshman year. This was a time in life that was supposed to be exciting starting a new chapter in my life. When on the unthinkable happened and turned my life upside down in a flash. On April 29^th my brother had went to workout after work in the small town next to ours. When we didn’t return home family and friends had looked all night for him with no luck. Then April 30^th changed my life forever. I had left for school that morning going to my first FFA convention when I got the news that my brother who was a sophomore had had a single car accident and had passed away at the age of seventeen and a half. He had signed up to be an organ donor which he didn’t get to do. That summer we had went into the bank and was asked how we would feel about doing their annual blood drive in his memory. As a family we thought that would be a get honor since he didn’t get to be an organ donor. That is when I realized how important it was to me that I had to be the first to give blood at his first blood drive. I had always been terrified of needles and shots but I wanted to do this for him. I have three cousins my age that had never give blood before and they was terrified of needles to and that day we was all there for each other. We all gave blood and it brought us all closer by sharing this experience. Once I gave blood I realized I need to keep giving blood. This summer will be his third annual blood drive and I would not miss it for anything. I have continued to give blood every chance I get. This is an event that I look forward to doing not just because it is done in him memory but I know that it is helping someone out there and maybe they won’t have to go through the same thing that me and my family has. My younger sister plans on donating blood next year when she turns sixteen as well.

So how do I think donating blood has changed my life? If this tragedy would have never had happened I don’t know if I would have ever give blood and realized it was not that bad and that it helps a lot of people. By donating blood it not only helps others but they do screening on me as well. In giving blood I found out that I have rare blood and that it can help anybody. Not long after the first time I gave blood I got a call saying that somebody in Tulsa had received some of my blood and it made me feel good inside and out. I try to encourage all my family and friends to give blood now. This year my grandpa, and two aunts have had to have blood for the first time and it makes me feel good to know that I could help him as well as others. I give blood every chance that I can.

To me giving blood is not just about getting a free t-shirt but knowing that it helps others and maybe even save a life. When I wear the t-shirts that I get I wear them with pride knowing that. When giving blood it has benefits for the donor as well. You get a screening of your health also. Donating blood means that I helping save someone’s life.