Most everyone alive today can tell you where they were when they heard about the terrorist attacks on 9/11. This could be considered their "primary" story of the day. I was watching the news while getting ready for work. I spent the rest of the day in state of partial denial. I acknowledged that it had happened, but played down in my own mind the actual impact the planes would have on the buildings. Obviously a very strange day.
My "secondary" story is a little more interesting and different. I donate blood on a regular basis, because it's something fairly simple that I can do to help others. My goal is to get my name engraved on a leaf in the tree mural they have on the wall, which I'll be eligible for when I hit 100 donations. I had an appointment to donate blood on the Sunday following 9/11, but because so many people were lined up to donate, they called and asked me to wait a few weeks before coming in so they could keep supply levels consistent.
By sheer coincidence my most recent eligible date to donate was last Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I wasn't sure what the crowds would be like, but I decided to go in, and if there was a big crowd I'd go home and wait a few weeks, just as I had 10 years earlier. Unfortunately it was a very typical Sunday morning at the blood center, so I went ahead and donated my blood (#76 as I inch toward my goal).
Here's my challenge to all of you. If you stood in a line to donate blood 10 years ago, consider going back to your local blood bank and donating again. And then do it again 8 weeks after that. It's a simple process that could save someone's life.
**DISCLAIMER**
I know that the requirements for donating blood are biased against a lot of people, especially homosexual males. I know that this is unfair and unreasonable, and I agree with you on that point. I wish I knew how to make it a fairer process and still keep everyone safe. Hopefully this day will come soon.
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