Giving Season: Donations for Patients in Need

With the holiday season upon us, many give gifts, and not always exclusively the ones we can purchase from a store or online. I am not suggesting that we should scrap the whole gifting thing, as it is a deep tradition and we all enjoy giving gifts to others and receiving gifts too.

Giving takes many forms, and is not only gifts purchased and wrapped that we give on holidays or special events in life. We all know some non-material gifts and they vary from culture to culture, as much as the other customs unique to regions or societies. Gift giving is universally accepted and however we define the action, it is generally considered to be a good thing.

How giving gifts has changed

As someone who grew up in a culture that celebrated the Christmas season, it is no surprise that this time of year has always been a time of giving in my life. My parents were not always able to give me all the gifts I wanted, because as a child, I wanted that shiny new bike or that guitar in the catalogue. It became apparent to me as I grew older that even if they could have given me what I wanted so badly, they would not have. Not because they were mean, but because they understood that if they did that, it would not be the best lesson.

Reminiscing about those early years, I am reminded of some of the things we did in the holidays. Like others, we shared in meals and gatherings with family and friends. In addition, my parents would always take my siblings and myself along to some events that had a message of hope and love for others. Giving. They believed in the idea that we all could do something that made a difference in someone else’s life.

A new meaning for gift giving

As a child, I knew the message, but honestly, it was at the time kind of boring to my less than mature self. As time went along, it became more apparent just how important it is for one to help others by giving. I have not always been as willing to give, but there is no question now that it is the best thing any of us can do in life. I ask you to give, in any way that you can. No matter how you do that, it is a win for us all.

Giving through organ and tissue donations

One important way you can do this is quite simple. With so many of our hepatitis C brothers and sisters in need of liver transplants, not to mention everyone who is in need of organ and tissue donors, please register as a donor where you live, and let your family know. Please encourage others to do the same. This act is often referred to as “the gift of life” and it may be the biggest gift we ever give or receive. As a person with hep C lived experience, you too can be a donor. Contact your local donor registry and please register. Happy Holidays! (All of them!)