Power in Numbers

While typical nerds invest their lives in the fictional heroes they find in comic books and video games, I'm glad that my readers can invest themselves in the real heroes found in our everyday world. What do you think of when I say blood? Automatically I think of vampires. Vampires like Count Dracula from to old black and white film. Scary people, in need of a good tan, with razor sharp teeth that can bite right through your skin but can't manage to bite through a slice of pizza. (We Italians are safe though cause we eat so much garlic it's poisonous to them!) Unfortunately modern culture has put a different image in the minds of the world, especially teenage girl. Last time I checked, REAL vampires do NOT sparkle! But fairies do, maybe Twilight's Edward was the offspring of a fairy and his/her vampire lover. Maybe that's why the Twilight vampires don't drink Bella and everyone else in town's blood and can withstand the sunlight. Don't worry I'm not here to criticize the book. Actually I'm here to bring a hero out of these words that make girls swoon (and not just because they think blood is icky). In the superhero world, this hero can multiply in numbers and save billions of other people's lives in the process. I'm talking about blood donors. Last week I asked for suggestions on who my next superhero should be, and my friend Nyc who works for Carter Blood Care suggested Blood Donors. So many people donate that it's hard sometimes to see them as heroes. But I think it's great!! Millions of people who give just a little bit of their time (and blood) to save three lives! Just like a superhero that can be multiple places at the same time, this hero can save more than one person at a time. These heroes act in silence. Hiding in plain sight while their heroic deeds are gone unrecognized past a t-shirt, a pat on the back, or a red cord at graduation. Most people think that they're nothing out of the ordinary, but they shouldn't look past these heroes simply because they aren't buff men flying around in a leotard and man tights hose (panty hose for men). I can personally say that I could never do what they do. Not because I'm stingy with my blood but because I have terrible iron deficiency. This hero has a brother who is equally as powerful. He too can multiply and has an enormous effect on our world: organ donors. People who, just like blood donors, allow their lives to bring life to those around them. These heroes may not have flashy red capes, but they do wear masks to hide their secret identity. Why? Maybe they're humble and don't seek to be praised by others for their heroic deeds. Typically you don't know who donated blood or organs unless you dig deep. But I hope my readers agree with me when I say (to paraphrase Diana Ross) ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, and ain't no river wide enough that will keep us from loving these valiant heroes! Let's not take these heroes for granted! Think about how many people would not be alive today if it weren't for these two heroes. The best way to thank these heroes is to show appreciation for what they've done. Maybe we don't need parades or festivals since they do try to hide their heroic deeds behind an anonymous mask. We can however thank them each and every day, just like our other heroes. If you know a blood donor or know someone who donated their organs than thank them, show appreciation; encourage them to continue acting heroically. What may seem like a small act of kindness has a large effect on our society when the hero multiplies into a bigger force showing that their is Power in Numbers. But remember, a force of a million started out as just one. So why not be that one? Or why not at least thank that one for being a part of something truly incredible. Please leave comments below or message me on Facebook for more suggestions. Thanks for reading!