There Will Be Blood

Over a year ago, I changed by job and had to work at a client's place which is right next to Red Cross office. Everyday in the morning, I walked across their office and thought to myself, I should donate blood. After about couple months, I got letter from Red Cross politely reminding me of blood donation - I was registered with them couple of years back when I went for my first ever donation. I thought to myself, now that their office is just next door I do not have any excuse of not to donate. Next day I went to my office was determined to visit them during lunch time. Unfortunately, work was hectic and I couldn't do it that day.

Couple of days went past, days became weeks, weeks became months and months turned into a whole year. In between this, I heard that it takes long time in there , ie., at least an hour, if you go to donate during office hours. Also, I thought of asking some colleagues, friends and ex-colleagues who work close by and see if they are interested to go and donate as a group but I never gotten around to do that either.

Now everyday when I walk past their office I think, bloody hell you haven't been in there yet. Also, seeing their adverts at bus stops or on the buses I take everyday didn't make my life any easier. And last weeks event in Mumbai has just compounded my guilt. I fooled myself all these days by saying, "will definitely do this today", but that today never came.

I'm not sure why I haven't done this yet. How can I not take some time off to go and talk to them and arrange some time to donate? Is it becoz I have turned into this unsympathetic monster who doesn't care? Is it becoz no one close to me has yet required blood and hence I'm unaware of the importance of donation or gravity of the blood shortage situation? Or Is it that I'm thinking what difference does it makes if one person doesn't donate? But then if everyone thinks in this way and I am sure most of them are, then who will donate?

So today, I'm gonna courageously call up Red Cross and will take an appointment to donate in a weeks time. Also, will email all my close friends and colleagues and see if anybody is interested in joining me. Yes, this time I promise myself that I'll donate blood and do it regularly and as usual I'm "sticking to my...".