Day 9: Signed a Petition to Stop Using "The R Word" (and Dedicated Myself to Stop Using It)

Outside of showing kindness and helping others, I knew that embarking on this journey would aid me in some personal growth as well. Today's random act is something that doesn't atone for what I have done in the past, but it helps me to remain cognizant of my words and actions. I have used the words retard or retarded in the past. I have used them jokingly. I have used them as derogatory towards friends (great friend right?). I have used them in such a nonchalant manner that I probably didn't even realize I was saying them. I'm not sure why I have said it so freely without thinking about how negative a connotation it has. So today, I have dedicated myself to stop using The R Word. Moving forward, if I catch myself or others catch me using it, then I will add an additional $1 to the end of the year donation. However, I intend not to use it moving forward. To solidify my stance on not using the word, I signed the petition at www.r-word.org, which is a group dedicated to eliminating the cavalier and negative use of the words retard and retarded. From now on, I am going to be more mindful of the things I say to others and the impact that it can have.

Day 8: Told a Joke

"What is invisible and smells like carrots? Easter Bunny farts."

This is the joke I told. (Technically my daughter told it via thought bubble cue cards)

Now you are probably asking yourself, "How is that a random act of kindness?"

What if I told you that telling this joke was helping somebody cope with and fight against cancer? Well that is why I did today's random act of kindness. Off the recommendation of one of our tremendous Facebook followers, I visited a website called Jokes 4 Miles. There I learned the story of fellow Chicagoans, Miles and his father:

"For the past three years, my son Miles has been fighting brain cancer. While in the hospital, I asked his schoolmates, doctors, comedians, celebrities and total strangers to tape a joke for him to watch. Now, as he’s facing a third recurrence, I'm on a quest to get 5,000 people to tape a quick joke or well-wish, to show him he’s not alone in his fight against cancer. As we attempt to get 5,000 people to tell Miles a joke, we hope to create awareness worldwide and inspire people to go out of their way to tell a joke to someone facing a serious illness. We will soon be reaching out to other kids like Miles."



I instantly knew that this is something that I (and hopefully all of the 366 Random Acts Facebook friends, Twitter and blog followers) had to do. So even if you are the most unfunny person out there, join me in helping Miles reach his goal of 5,000 jokes by submitting one of your own at Jokes 4 Miles.

Day 7: Donated Blood and a Bone Marrow Sample

I hate needles. So much so that not only do I get squeamish when I have to give blood or get an injection, but whenever I see a needle going near ANY person I feel like I am going to pass out. Needless to say I have never given blood in my entire life. Just the thought of proactively having a needle jammed in my arm was enough to make me quiver. But I knew when I started on this journey, I was going to end up doing things I wasn't necessarily accustomed to. So when I woke up this morning, I decided to look up places to donate blood. Much to my surprise, Shaun Gayle of the 1985 Chicago Bears was hosting a blood drive at Soldier Field. An opportunity to do a good deed while rubbing elbows with members of the greatest football team ever assembled is something I had to do.

So I met with my friend Matt at Soldier Field and we proceeded to go through the exam to give blood. Prior to doing that, Matt and I learned about a little girl suffering from sickle cell anemia that is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow matches are difficult to find because there are not enough samples and matches in the database. Currently, there are about 10,000 people in the United States in need of a bone marrow transplant, but less than half will receive one due to the lack of suitable matches. Adding yourself to the database is as simple as getting a cotton swab of your mouth, so Matt and I both decided to do it. (If you want to find out more info on how to donate a sample visit www.BeTheMatch.org).

After we gave our samples for the marrow transplant, we went through a quick screening of our vitals. My blood pressure was much higher than normal, and the nurse attributed that to me being nervous (Read: Fear). When I finally sat down, I was calmed down by Lisa, the phlebotomist who was helping me. She found the vein and put the needle in. Much to my surprise, everything went pretty well and I was actually giving blood. However, when they started cycling my plasma back into my system, I started to black out and become nauseous. Luckily, Lisa quickly gave me some fluids that brought me back to normal and I was able to give a full amount of blood. I'm really happy she got me back to feeling good too because after the donation Matt and I were able to tour the Chicago Bears locker room and meet Shaun Gayle and Mike Anderson of the Super Bowl Champs.