It's hard to believe, but it's been a full year since my cancer diagnosis. It's now six months since we received the amazing news that my cancer was in remission. I'm feeling great and my last scan continued to show no cancer.

Being in remission was (and is) a great feeling. I looked forward to giving back and helping others by doing something that I had done for many years, donating blood. My first donation was when I was in high school. For many years I donated platelets and had recently switched back to donating red blood. So, I did some research to find out when I could start donating again only to learn that I could not give blood. Individuals who've had lymphoma, which is considered a type of blood cancer, are no longer eligible to donate.

It's now a year since my diagnosis and I'd like to celebrate by helping others. I'm hoping that my family, friends, and colleagues all over the world will help where I cannot. If you have never donated blood before, please consider giving the gift of life. If you donate already, make a pledge for your next donation.

If you live in the US, you can use the following URL with the American Red Cross to pledge your donation: https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/.../1-year-kicking.../

Let's all work together to help others in need. Thank you!