Maybe it has to do with the volume of Grey’s Anatomy I have been watching, but lately, I have felt very strongly about the importance of organ donation and bone marrow donation. It’s such an easy way to save lives and takes so little effort.

All joking aside, my family has been touched too many times by cancer, so when I had the chance to report on the Be The Match Foundation’s bone marrow registry drive at MU, I took it. The sources were wonderfully helpful and cooperative, and hopefully I got the word out in time to attract more donors. Through the research I did, I learned a lot about the National Marrow Donor Program, and I have seriously reconsidered my aversion to donating blood.

Unfortunately, I was deferred from registering because of my back injury, but I encourage everyone to register if you have the opportunity.

I think it’s incredibly exciting when my reporting changes something out in the community, like when my editor said my story broke the news that the Columbia Public Schools high school swimming program could be cut, and it received a huge public response.

But for some reason, it is just as exciting when my reporting changes me.

Other stories I worked on this week:

Watkins names acting director for Columbia Conventions and Visitors Bureau

Man arrested in connection with Jefferson Street shooting