work blood drive

so i sent out an email to my co-workers today letting them know that i was interested in doing a blood drive at work and asked who would be interested in donating so that i could see if we could get enough people. i was very disappointed in the responses, or lack there of. within seconds of sending out the email, the first response was "im not interested, thanks." then i got a couple of people giving me excuses that there blood is "no good" or whatever other bullshit excuse. then i actually got one response that said "sure, i'll donate just to find out my blood type". Are you fucking serious? I actually emailed that person back and asked if they ever knew anyone who had/has cancer or need a blood transfusion and then said, i guess your motives for donating blood dont really matter. so far i have only received responses from 4 people that are interested in donating (out of around 40 people that were on the email).

that being said, i have found myself judging the people that have responded negatively or not at all. i only donated for the first time last week and was definitely inspired to do so by a brave little boy that has endured so much in his battle with cancer, so who am i to judge? but now that i have donated and learned about the necessity of blood, plasma, and platelet donation and how many lives can be saved by doing something that costs nothing but an hour of your time, i cant imagine not continuing to donate.

again, as i go through one of the most difficult times in my life, i am so grateful for the things that i do have and one of those things is my health. there are so many people out there that are not nearly as lucky as i am. i know that there are many people out there who do many things for other less fortunate people whether it is blood donation, donating to charity, volunteering with various groups, etc. but i feel like MOST people probably dont do anything. not to mention people that are fighting pitbulls, neglecting their children, polluting the environment.

i know that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.



Lucas Hawley, the bravest little boy i know

try it, you may be amazed at how good it makes you feel.

Lost dog and cat rescue

So yesterday was my first time volunteering with the lost dog and cat rescue. I thought this was going to be super sad, but it actually wasn't. There were lots of very nice volunteers and I also got to meet some nice people that were looking to adopt. There were three different litters of puppies that I thought would be adopted very quickly, but it was actually the dogs that were a little older that people were interested in. My dog was Simon. Hebwas so sweet but someone had obviously starved him, so he was very skinny and boney. After two hours he curled up on my lap and took a nap. It was absolutely adorable. I've always loved dogs and wanted one, but I don't think Zion, Dexter, and hummus would be very happy with me if I brought them home a dog friend :) Drinking Starbucks, playing with dogs and puppies and talking to lots of new people for 3 hours on a saturday was totally worth it.

If you want to volunteer just go to www.lostdogandcatrescue.org they send out a weekend email asking who would like to volunteer and where. If you want to volunteer that weekend you just reply to the email, if you don't, then you don't, there is no commitment.

Let me know if you want to volunteer and I'll go with you!

a very rewarding experience

after spending an afternoon with Lukey last weekend, i decided that i needed to do something. i needed to do something to make a difference. unfortunately, i dont make enough money to donate to the cancer research foundations, etc. but there is something that i can do for free, so that is what i did. on tuesday after work, i went to the inova blood donation center in dulles, va (over by the mall) and donated blood for the very first time in my life. i wasnt nervous or anything, but i was totally unprepared for the overwhelming feeling of self worth that this experience provided me.

i was so surprised by the amount of people that were there donating. people were on their laptops, or watching movies on portable dvd players, or reading their books. obviously some of them were regulars, employees calling them by name. everyone was super nice and very thankful. luckily i didnt pass out or anything although because i have low blood pressure, it did take a little longer than normal. when i was done, i had some oreos and a bottle of water and was good to go!

so while i was there i learned that you can donate whole blood every 8 weeks, plasma every 4 weeks, and platelets every 2 weeks. platelets only last 7 days, so they are always in high demand. these are used for motor vehicle accident and burn victims as well as cancer patients and probably numerous other things that i am unaware of.

the rewarding feeling that i got from this experience is unexplainable....life changing for sure. i will now be going back every 2 weeks to donate whatever i can. i have also talked to some people at work and will hopefully be setting up a blood drive there soon.

i would like to thank the Hawleys and Lucas who have been a huge inspiration. they are so strong and so brave and have endured things that people cant even imagine. You guys are always in my thoughts and i am so proud to know such amazing people.

so to all of you who have never donated, or have thought about donating, or who have only donated once or twice, get out there and make a difference. you can save lives....

http://www.inova.org/get-involved/blood-donor-services/index.jsp

Dulles Town Center 
45745 Nokes Boulevard, #160
Sterling, VA  20166
Map and interactive directions
Hours of operation
Monday — noon to 8 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday — 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday — noon to 4 p.m.
Closed Thursday and Saturday

thanksgiving

as i go through this difficult time in my life i feel that on this day it is important for me to remember the things that i am thankful for. right now i feel like i have hit rock bottom, dealing with relationship issues and family stuff, but then i think that in comparison to many other people, these are just small bumps in the road of life. so today, i am thankful for my health, especially since i finally figured out why i had been so miserable with stomach issues for almost a year and have since been feeling much better thanks to the antibiotics that i took 3 times a day for over a month. im thankful that i have a decent job, that i have recently come to enjoy and feel like i am actually getting good at. i am thankful for my crazy family, even though we have been through a lot and continue to work on our issues, i know that my mom will always be there for me, no matter what. i am thankful for recently reconnecting with my aunt amy up in NY and being able to spend time with my little cousins. at 28, i have finally realized the importance of family. i am thankful to have an amazing best friend, who lives way too far away, to support me, help me, make me laugh, and tell me when im being stupid. i am thankful that i met a man a year and a half ago that completely changed my life. i have learned so much about life, love, and myself in this time, its absolutely amazing. i am thankful for the Hawleys and that Lucas is currently in remission. this family is truly an inspiration to me, they are the strongest most loving and caring family that i have ever met. im thankful for all of my friends, even though we may not speak everyday or see eachother every month, i know that we will always be friends, and i am thankful for that!

so even in these times of personal struggle, i have many things to be thankful for. so thank you all for being in my life.

heather

my first blog

so, i never ever would have ever thought that i would end up being a blogger. i have probably only read one or two blog posts in my entire life and definitely never thought about actually blogging myself.

that being said, over the past couple of years, my life has dramatically changed. over the past year and half, my life has changed even more. and now, over the past month, i have gone through more changes than ever before. so i figured, why not try something new.

questions, comments, and concerns are all welcome. hope you enjoy....

heather