Thomas is overcoming his fear of blood by donating

Blood has always made me super queasy - back in school I remember having to excuse myself from class simply because the teacher was talking too much about the cardiovascular system for too long. Typing this out, I am now acutely aware of the blood in my hands and legs and how much my blood vessels must be constricted and what that means for my body - if anything. It's a bit weird and embarrassing.

A bunch of my co-workers were donating a few years ago and for some dumb reason I came along. My blood flow was way too slow and near the end I almost passed out (I've never experienced a sensation so manifestly uncomfortable before in my life!) - but they were able to use what I did donate, I found out that my blood is O- (in demand), and I felt really good about donating.

Since then I've made it a point to donate whenever I can. It's slowly getting easier. I've figured out which arm to use and how to prepare the day before so that I can get a decent blood flow. It should be ridiculously hard to follow through with the commitment I make every time the next donation window comes up, and yet I push through the dread, and I am immensely proud of myself for it.

This is also the most effective way I can think of to contribute charitably to society. My blood type is always needed and I am literally saving lives. It's not just throwing $5 at a guy on the street, I know that my actions are genuinely benefiting people when it is needed the most.

In short, I love that I accidentally stumbled into becoming a donor, and I'll keep doing it until I no longer can.

Thanks for letting me share this.