The Ultimate Blood Donor

When I had the pleasure of turning fifty, I participated in a clinical trial through a partnership between Dana- Farber Cancer Institute and California healthcare company Grail. Grail has pioneered a simple blood test for multi-cancer early detection called Galleri.  Grail’s end goal is a routine blood test to detect early-phase cancer.

I was absolutely fascinated by the idea that donating just a tiny amount of my blood could help save lives in the future. During the clinical trial of 6,600 volunteers, 92 people were diagnosed with early-stage cancer. Early-stage cancer has far higher cure rates. It is a heartwarming feeling to know I was blessed to be a (tiny!) part of saving someone’s life.

Obviously, it takes teams of brilliant, dedicated scientists to turn clinical trials into lifesaving medicine, but without someone to donate their blood, all the scientists’ good works would be pointless.

It is the same with Jesus, the ultimate blood donor. 

Humans constantly endeavor to earn their way to salvation through their good works, but without His blood sacrifice through His death on the cross for our sins, our good works are nothing but ash.

Through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of our sins and called to holiness. Free to enter the kingdom of heaven. But salvation comes through grace – the free and unmerited favor that comes from the love of God through His son, Jesus. Not our good works.

I’m delighted that there are lifesaving blood tests for cancer now, and I am happy to have been a part of their development, but my blood sacrifice was no sacrifice at all. I didn’t lovingly lay down my life for people who actively hated me. Jesus did.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

If you have not yet accepted the tremendous gift of salvation through Jesus, consider accepting His blood donation. He loves you and wants to save your life!