I’m an 18-year-old student in my freshman year at the University of Denver. I donated blood for the first time when I turned 16, and continued to donate several more times, earning “Gallon Grad” status before graduation. The decision to start donating blood was easy as I’ve grown up watching my parents and older brother donate blood regularly and volunteer with a local community blood center. Now, it’s something I can’t imagine not doing.

Throughout my time donating and volunteering with the community blood center, I’ve met people with different reasons for becoming blood donors or advocates. Many were inspired after a loved one survived an accident, a surgery or cancer treatment thanks to blood transfusions. I’ve been lucky not to need blood myself, but I was surprised to learn how many

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