michaelporourke
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Primitivo
Dear Fellow Pilgrims,
On September 15, I will begin my 200-mile Camino solo hike from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. This adventure is to celebrate my 40th birthday.
I am looking forward to this opportunity to not only “unplug” and reflect, but also to support a cause that is incredibly important to me.
Every two seconds, someone in the world needs blood and/or platelets, and one donation can potentially save up to three lives. An overwhelming majority of recipients are individuals battling cancer or chronic illness, and it’s very likely that either you or a loved one will benefit from a blood donor in your lifetime.
I learned this firsthand when, a few years ago, a stranger’s decision to donate blood saved the life of my daughter who was delivered via emergency c-section and required multiple donations. I am forever indebted to them.
In an expression of gratitude for this stranger, my goal is to recruit one pledge to donate blood for every mile that I will hike in Spain – 200 blood donors for 200 miles – by the date I am due to arrive in Santiago de Compostela: Wednesday, September 28.
To be clear, I am NOT seeking 200 blood donations by the September 28 deadline. Rather, I am hoping to get 200 individuals to add their name to my online pledge drive, and they can decide when and where to give blood at their convenience (i.e., the “honor system”).
If you are in a position to donate blood, please consider supporting my 40th birthday campaign by adding your name to my online pledge drive and provide a lifesaving gift for patients in need.
By taking an hour of your life to donate blood, you can save somebody’s life.
Sincerely,
Mike O’Rourke
Link to my virtual blood pledge
*Please Note: I confirmed with Ivar that I was permitted to post this message as I am not seeking monetary/charity contributions. I am merely asking Forum members to consider pledging their name to donate blood at some point in the future.
On September 15, I will begin my 200-mile Camino solo hike from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. This adventure is to celebrate my 40th birthday.
I am looking forward to this opportunity to not only “unplug” and reflect, but also to support a cause that is incredibly important to me.
Every two seconds, someone in the world needs blood and/or platelets, and one donation can potentially save up to three lives. An overwhelming majority of recipients are individuals battling cancer or chronic illness, and it’s very likely that either you or a loved one will benefit from a blood donor in your lifetime.
I learned this firsthand when, a few years ago, a stranger’s decision to donate blood saved the life of my daughter who was delivered via emergency c-section and required multiple donations. I am forever indebted to them.
In an expression of gratitude for this stranger, my goal is to recruit one pledge to donate blood for every mile that I will hike in Spain – 200 blood donors for 200 miles – by the date I am due to arrive in Santiago de Compostela: Wednesday, September 28.
To be clear, I am NOT seeking 200 blood donations by the September 28 deadline. Rather, I am hoping to get 200 individuals to add their name to my online pledge drive, and they can decide when and where to give blood at their convenience (i.e., the “honor system”).
If you are in a position to donate blood, please consider supporting my 40th birthday campaign by adding your name to my online pledge drive and provide a lifesaving gift for patients in need.
By taking an hour of your life to donate blood, you can save somebody’s life.
Sincerely,
Mike O’Rourke
Link to my virtual blood pledge
*Please Note: I confirmed with Ivar that I was permitted to post this message as I am not seeking monetary/charity contributions. I am merely asking Forum members to consider pledging their name to donate blood at some point in the future.
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