Today, I helped make little goodie bags that are going to be stocking stuffers for the little kids. I can’t believe Christmas is right around the corner! It is an exciting time of the year, and the kids seem very excited about the upcoming holiday events that the hospital has planned for them. Many of these kids will be spending Christmas at the hospital, so we are trying to bring the Christmas spirit to them.
As I was carrying the goodie bags around to distribute at the different departments, I happened to walk past the hospital blood bank. It just made me really happy to see so many wonderful people in the waiting room, willing to give their time and effort in order to give the gift of life. I, myself, am a regular blood donor, and I believe it is a great cause. Moreover, the unfortunate, and yet, fortunate, experiences that my family and I have encountered during this past year concerning my dad’s health, has only reaffirmed for me how important it is to be involved in these donation programs.
About 6 months ago, my father experienced liver failure, and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Exactly a week later, the doctors told my family and me to “prepare ourselves,” for the worse to happen. They didn’t think that he was going to make it past the weekend. In the end, when doctors had exhausted all means possible in order to save my dad’s life, it was the kindness of a complete stranger that enabled my dad to have a second chance at life, and blessed me with the opportunity to spend more years with him. My dad’s new liver was came from a car accident patient who had passed away. We have yet to find out more about my dad’s donor, but I thank him/her every single day for their gift, which has brought an indescribable amount of joy to my family.
