Crossposted for a good cause.

[Jyosua]

I probably won't ever crosspost something like this again, but a good friend asked me to, and it is a good cause, so.

This was originally from here: http://mercuryice.com/forums/showthread.php/2372-Save-Lives

I normally wouldn't make an announcement thread for something not related to Mercury Ice, but I feel like this is really important. Please give it a read.

One of my boyfriend's really good friends is having a birthday this weekend. Thing is, she used to donate blood to the Red Cross all the time, until she was diagnosed with mastocytosis three years ago (the same thing Christopher Reeve had), which prevents her from being able to donate blood ever again. She's asking her friends for a few things for her birthday, and is also asking them to spread the word about her birthday wishes. Since I can't donate blood (I've apparently spent too much time abroad) and blood donations have taken a really hard hit in the US this winter thanks to the bad weather, I thought I'd help Ryan help her by spreading the word to you guys.

Here's what she's asking for:

1) Donate Blood

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood

2) Register to be a Bone Marrow Donor / Donate Cord Blood (or plan to)

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN

3) Donate time/money to either the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation or Life Rolls On.

http://www.christopherreeve.org/

http://www.liferollson.org/

4) Donate to The Mastocytosis Foundation

http://tmsforacure.org/

Here's the full story. Please give it a read. Even if you can't do anything yourself, the least you can do is tell someone else. Hopefully if enough people see this, we can make a huge difference in someone's life.

[Crystal Shards]

Thank you Josh. You have no idea how much this means to me.

[Balcerzak]

Just got the following email from the local red cross organization:

This year's Face Off Blood Challenge between the University of Michigan and Michigan State will take place January 23 through February 11. This is a great opportunity to build on our 2010 Blood Battle victory over Ohio State during which the Wolverines collected 2,615 pints, potentially saving nearly 8,000 lives! If you have never given blood, please consider making a donation during this Face Off Challenge, and if you are a loyal donor, this is a great time to give the gift of life once again.

Looks like I'll try to get in a twofer, assuming I'm not rejected for having been living out of the country. Red Cross is sometimes silly.

[eclipse]

Red Cross is sometimes silly.

Thanks to their requirements, I am unable to give blood, and will not be able to for a while.