Boca Raton, Florida
My wife and I chaired a Mitzvah Day communitywide program several times as members of the Temple Beth El synagogue in Boca Raton, starting 26 years ago.
The program began at Temple Beth El 28 years ago. That year, the chairs connected with OneBlood (formerly Community Blood Centers) to have a blood drive. My wife and I donated blood that year.
Speed forward to the year we first chaired the event.
I went to the Big Red Bus and realized I had forgotten to schedule an appointment. The phlebotomist apologized, saying there were no slots left. She asked what blood type I was, and I told her A Postive. She very nicely suggested that the most valuable donation I could do was a platelet donation.
I asked her what was involved: approximately two hours, one needle in each arm, and I could watch a movie or TV while donating. She said I could do this at the Donor Center 10 minutes from our home.
The following week I did my first platelet donation, and the rest is history. I’ve been donating every two weeks — except During the months of November through January when I train for the Miami marathon.
The people who have worked and currently work at OneBlood Boca are the kindest, most professional and dedicated people I know. I look forward to being there every two weeks, and hope to continue donating in the future
Take one step and donate platelets today, and I am proof you will do it for a lifetime.
