I also want to thank all of you for showing up yesterday!

And I say showing up, because many of you found out you couldn't give for one reason or another. But you wanted to, and that's what counts! I was humbled and overwhelmed by the numbers...271 units of blood, that really is remarkable! Our congressman was even there! Brad Ellsworth truly is one of the good guys in Washington. He was one who found out he couldn't give due to recent time spent in Iraq, but he really wanted to and for that, I'm grateful. My father-in-law waited in line for at least an hour to find out he couldn't give due to a recent bout with bladder cancer...but he really wanted to. So many of you were first time givers, and now you know it isn't so bad and maybe you'll do it again.

I had treatment this morning and I sat next to a man who turned to me and said thank you. He was being sent straight over to St. Mary's to receive blood. And, his type was readily available thanks to all of you!

I have received blood a few times, and it's a miracle to see the change in color and feel the strength return almost immediately. It's true, blood is the gift of life!

Jesus gave us His blood. And for that, all of us have life.

Much Agape,

Ann