Blood donation

Blood

🩸 Better to Give Than to Receive: Blood donation in Zhengzhou.

Today in Zhengzhou, China, I donated blood—and walked away with more than just a sense of fulfillment. I left with an umbrella, a drink, some crackers, and even a scale! Quite the haul for one donation. But gifts aside, what stayed with me most was the feeling that giving is always better than receiving.

My blood type is O+, one of the most universally helpful types. It’s a quiet superpower—knowing that my donation could support a wide range of patients, from accident victims to those undergoing surgery. And while I’ve donated blood in the USA, Canada, and of course in my own country, each experience feels just as meaningful as the first.

There’s something deeply human about giving. In a world that often measures success by what we accumulate, giving reminds us of a different kind of wealth—the kind that grows when shared. Whether it’s blood, time, kindness, or care, giving connects us to others in ways that receiving never can.

So yes, I received some thoughtful gifts today. But the real reward was invisible: the quiet joy of knowing that someone, somewhere, might be better off because of me.

If you’ve ever considered donating blood, I encourage you to take that step. It’s safe, quick, and deeply rewarding. And if not blood, then give in other ways—your attention, your help, your love. Because in the end, giving is what makes us human.

 

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 24 Sep 2025