An Introduction from Erik Barber - Student Worker

My most memorable volunteer experience came my senior year in high school. My high school would have blood drives sponsored by the Wisconsin Blood Center about every three months. This was an important experience to me because I realized that I was helping other people, and my blood could save up to three lives. The only change that came along with this experience was that I realized that anyone can make a difference in someone else's life, even if you do not already know the individual. I volunteered at the blood drive mostly because a lot of my friends did them, so I wanted to give it a try as well.

To me, volunteering is important because it shows that you care about others more than you care about yourself, which in my opinion is an important trait for someone to have. To anyone who does not volunteer, I would strongly encourage them to do so. For a large portion of my life, I did not volunteer, but after I began getting involved in it, I realized the many benefits it can have on an individual.

The experience that changed me the most was reading a story in a magazine about an individual who was involved in a serious car accident. This person could have been saved if there would have been enough of a supply of their specific blood type. Unfortunately, this person died because there were not enough people willing to take 15 minutes out of their day and donate blood. I never want to be in a situation like that person, which is much of the reason I donate my own blood. I hope that if I donate mine, others will donate theirs which can truly benefit anyone, whether you personally know them or not.