On Sunday, a marathon will take place in my city. There will additionally be a half marathon, a kids marathon, and a 5K. I’ve got a handful of friends of who will challenge themselves in the name of fun and fitness by running in these races and while I won’t be one of the competitors that year, I may entertain the view next date around. Part of me is intrigued by the physical accomplishment I could compose by conquering more than 26 miles. Part of me just wants to participate in an event that has the potential to save lives in five different ways.

The Five Points of Life races, sponsored by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, are designed to raise awareness about the need for five life-saving donations — blood, apheresis, bone marrow, organs and tissue, and cord blood. Some event participants and volunteers are donors, some are recipients, and some are both. Donors are asked to wear an orange ribbon on race day.

Recipients: a blue one (we’re Gators here, hence the orange and blue). The ribbons will serve as reminders of the importance of saving lives.

Should I run next year, I’ll be wearing a blue ribbon, in honor of the several units of blood I received while hospitalized three years ago with chemotherapy-induced low blood counts. What a thrill it would be to publicly acknowledge the gift I was given. What a thrill it would be to run all those miles.

Original post by Jacki Donaldson

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