Starting at 8 a.m. today, there will be a special blood and bone marrow drive in honor of Ball State golfer Justin Cross, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (also known as ALL) in 1999. The drive, held at the south balcony of Irving Gym, will continue until 3 p.m.
I love giving blood. I was below the minimum donor age when I first decided I would become a donor. It has always given me a feeling of helping my fellow man. Giving blood lets me know that even when I can make no financial contribution to a cause, I have something to give that money cannot buy.
Think about that for a moment. Have you ever been in a position where you wanted to help but couldn't? Television pleas to help Ethiopia from hunger and the Jerry Lewis' Labor Day marathons are two classic examples.
As a child, I always felt that you should help someone out who is less fortunate than you. SoI often wanted to give financially, but there was no way I could give what I did not have.
Today is a perfect opportunity for me to redeem myself. I know what I will be doing. Do you?
If you were asked if you cared much about helping Cross or any other person with such a need, how would you answer?
Sure, you may not know Cross or even care about golf. Does that take away from the fact that you could be the marrow match that he needs to overcome ALL?
Even better, if you were in this situation, wouldn't you want a bunch of people to donate blood, marrow and whatever else is necessary for you to keep on living?
There is this little thing called "you reap what you sow" that I believe in. Some people may call it karma. You want to have good karma and sow good seeds for the future.
Besides, it's only about 15 minutes of your day. What could it hurt? They give you a free T-shirt and some cookies afterwards. As a bonus, BSU Athletics is giving all donors a free general admissions ticket to the August 28 night game against Indiana State.
I don't know if I or anybody at Ball State will be a match for Cross. However, this won't be a one-day thing for me because I plan to give blood whenever I get the chance.
Will you?
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