Why I Donated Blood for the First Time in Five Years

I used to give blood regularly. It felt good because it's a simple thing you can do that comes with a 100 percent guarantee that you are saving lives. However, I stopped for what are mostly just excuses; I had a bit of a passing out problem.

But last week, I broke my dry spell. I was so moved by the words of slain Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson that they echoed over and over in my head. I had to do something, anything. So I chose to give blood.

And I knew I was stubborn enough this time to power through. So help me, I was not going to pass out. I was not going to fail the iron test. My blood would flow freely. I was not going to have any of the problems I had in the past.

I failed the iron test. "Please take it again," I said, and she did. On the second reading, I had plenty of iron. One extra finger prick wasn't stopping me.

Once seated, my blood wasn't flowing very fast. I chugged a bottle of water and squeezed the ball over and over again. It worked; my blood was pumping fine. And I never got light headed. I was doing this.

When the phlebotomist asked me what color band I wanted, I confidently said blue, in honor of the life of Officers Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola - the three police officers killed by a gunman in Baton Rouge this month.

I will never be ashamed to support a good cop. They've been there for me when I needed them desperately, which is more than once.

But I donated not only for the fallen Baton Rogue police officers. I also donated because Black Lives Matter -- like the life of Officer Montrell Jackson. I will never be silenced or shut down or shamed by anyone for saying that loudly and proudly.

It seems we live in a society that is very 'either/or.' I refuse to accept that. I believe in BOTH. I can support police and the BLM movement, which is overwhelmingly a peaceful movement. If you cannot assign blame for bad cops on the good cops who risk their lives daily to protect us, you cannot assign blame on BLM for the actions of a couple of lunatics who happened to be black.

I will never know if my blood went to a police officer, an African-American, a baby or a senior. What I do know is that it's going to someone who needs it. I also know I'll be back as soon as I'm allowed to donate again.

If you're eligible, please donate blood. It's so easy. Go to United Blood Services to find a location and a time that's good for you. I recommend the "Fast Track" option that allows you to answer questions before you go to your appointment, it makes the process even easier.