Help me find organizations to help without volunteering or giving money! (However, body parts and signatures are fine)
August 24, 2010 9:42 AM Subscribe
What databases can I join to help people/the environment/whatever else needs saving at no cost to me?
I just joined the bone marrow transplant database and I'm wondering if there is anything else like it I could join to help save people. I would have never thought of joining it until I read that question about bone marrow and leukemia. I don't have tons of money to donate or anything, but body parts are a-okay as long as I don't need them.
So, what else should I join? How beneficial is it to donate blood? I'm kinda scared of needles so I'm not exactly good at donating blood (because I get panicky and my veins pop into my skin and my blood leaves my extremities) but I've never really tried.
I want to save lives, help people. Anything that doesn't require a giant time commitment or whatever (I understand donating marrow is a time commitment but it's more of a one time thing.. I don't really have the time to help the Red Cross every day right now).
I also want to help the environment and all sorts of liberal hippie things like that. So links to that type of thing would be great too. Petitions to sign for gay marriage advocacy? Bring them to me! Anything like that. I just want to do some good.
Thanks.
I just joined the bone marrow transplant database and I'm wondering if there is anything else like it I could join to help save people. I would have never thought of joining it until I read that question about bone marrow and leukemia. I don't have tons of money to donate or anything, but body parts are a-okay as long as I don't need them.
So, what else should I join? How beneficial is it to donate blood? I'm kinda scared of needles so I'm not exactly good at donating blood (because I get panicky and my veins pop into my skin and my blood leaves my extremities) but I've never really tried.
I want to save lives, help people. Anything that doesn't require a giant time commitment or whatever (I understand donating marrow is a time commitment but it's more of a one time thing.. I don't really have the time to help the Red Cross every day right now).
I also want to help the environment and all sorts of liberal hippie things like that. So links to that type of thing would be great too. Petitions to sign for gay marriage advocacy? Bring them to me! Anything like that. I just want to do some good.
Thanks.
Join a local volunteer group.
They usually have a lot of one-time volunteer need.
I belong to one here which is basically helping out with special events.
In Boston, I belonged to one where the organization would send out a request list for disabled/elderly people that needed help with something (writing a letter, going to a doctor appointment).
Check volunteermatch.com for ideas as well.
posted by KogeLiz at 9:54 AM on August 24, 2010
They usually have a lot of one-time volunteer need.
I belong to one here which is basically helping out with special events.
In Boston, I belonged to one where the organization would send out a request list for disabled/elderly people that needed help with something (writing a letter, going to a doctor appointment).
Check volunteermatch.com for ideas as well.
posted by KogeLiz at 9:54 AM on August 24, 2010
Give blood donation a try. I *love* giving blood. It's not any kind of love of needles, but I get satisfaction from knowing that out there, my blood is doing its thing and actively helping save people's lives. My local children's hospital has free parking and evening hours, so not only do I help save kids, but it's extra convenient to do so.
posted by rmd1023 at 10:23 AM on August 24, 2010
posted by rmd1023 at 10:23 AM on August 24, 2010
Go you for registering!
I'm not great at donating blood, either, but I've gotten better at it over time, mostly because I've relaxed with repetition. You can only do it every 8 weeks, or longer if you donate double red blood cells. I used to donate platelets (having known someone with cancer) but that took longer and was more problematic (my awesome platelets kept clogging up the needles). So I say it's worthwhile to give blood donation a try.
There are frequent beach/stream/river cleanups near me in the Spring. It's usually only a few hours commitment, and can feel like making a big difference.
posted by ldthomps at 10:30 AM on August 24, 2010
I'm not great at donating blood, either, but I've gotten better at it over time, mostly because I've relaxed with repetition. You can only do it every 8 weeks, or longer if you donate double red blood cells. I used to donate platelets (having known someone with cancer) but that took longer and was more problematic (my awesome platelets kept clogging up the needles). So I say it's worthwhile to give blood donation a try.
There are frequent beach/stream/river cleanups near me in the Spring. It's usually only a few hours commitment, and can feel like making a big difference.
posted by ldthomps at 10:30 AM on August 24, 2010
Change.org. Create an account, and they'll send you a weekly letter with petitions to sign and info on current environmental and other "liberal hippie things!"
posted by coupdefoudre at 11:07 AM on August 24, 2010
posted by coupdefoudre at 11:07 AM on August 24, 2010
Please donate blood. Just once for me would be good. Lots of people who would like to are refused (for reasons I'm not really competent to debate).
posted by pompomtom at 1:59 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by pompomtom at 1:59 AM on August 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 9:43 AM on August 24, 2010