Do Good Cleveland: 3 Ways To Do Good For Health Care

We’ve witnessed how our health care system is a crucial lifeline for our community. With a little extra time and energy, you can be a part of the solution to saving lives. Patricia Terstenyak, director of community health at the Center for Health Affairs, which advocates for Northeast Ohio’s hospitals, shares three tips for making an impact.

Donate blood. 
Organizations such as the American Red Cross are always in demand for healthy blood donors. Your donation could help someone with cancer, sickle cell anemia, a complex pregnancy, medical trauma or used to help mitigate a disaster. And although it may feel like you’re giving away something precious, you are also benefiting from the activity. “There is growing evidence there are some physical benefits of donating blood and psychological effects of happiness,” says Terstenyak.

Hone in on what matters most. 
The world of health care covers a lot. Terstenyak suggests coming up with a list of issues you care about, then reaching out to organizations to see what volunteer opportunities are available. At the Susan G. Komen Foundation, for example, Terstenyak was able to participate in health education, breast cancer awareness and grant programming. “It’s all contributing to the mission and to the vision of the organization,” she says.

Take care of yourself first. 
It’s important to prioritize your own needs and health in order to be an effective contributor to your community. Whether it’s eating right, getting enough sleep or exercising, the more centered and healthier we feel, the better we can serve as a support mechanism to others through empathy and compassion. “Doing good for others, expressing gratitudes, has tremendous benefits not only for the recipient but the giver,” says Terstenyak. 

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