A Christmas column shared three years ago spoke of Phillis Wheatly, an American poet and former slave in the late 1700s. Another more recent column focused on Anne Sullivan, teacher to Helen Keller. Both Wheatly and Sullivan provided different elements that cascaded forward to benefit many others years or centuries later. Have we each done enough to make a positive difference for those we might never know?

During a recent call with a former classmate, I learned he was preparing to accompany his 45-year-old son, Ryan, to Arizona, where the son would donate blood to help someone battling leukemia. Ryan had never met nor knew of the recipient – except that his blood offered a match that might help make a difference for someone. His motivation for the act originated from a strong and enduring friendship between himself and four of his college classmates. Before leukemia took the life of one the five, their friend expressed hope others suffering as he did could find the sort of help he needed. The other four tested by means of a simple cheek swab for the National Marrow Donor Program. Ryan’s donor match notification eventually came.

Similarly, Monica, with whom I worked, volunteered during 2017 to donate a kidney to an unknown person in Warren, Michigan, to enable a donor there to provide a kidney for a young man in Minot. When asked recently how she felt about helping someone in this way she responded, “It was one of the greatest moments of my life — to make a difference for both someone I knew and a stranger. I get teary-eyed every time I think about that day. It is truly a miracle. So many elements must go exactly right to make it happen. I thank God every day that I was able to play a part in saving two lives. I would do it again a thousand times if I could.”

Have you made a difference to aid others? It could be a body part, but there are numerous other possibilities. Donations of clothes to Minot’s Mathew 25 Project, Salvation Army or Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch thrift store provide goods or services that positively impact needs in our community. There are more ways to make a difference as well. Volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels, ring the Salvation Army bell or bake cookies sent to our armed forces overseas; send what dollars you can to aid veteran’s programs or support efforts in the U.S. and elsewhere through a contribution to The American Red Cross; volunteer to help at a food pantry, cook or serve in an area soup kitchen. And don’t miss the opportunity to share time and a hotdish with someone you know down the street or across town who needs your companionship. It can brighten an otherwise cloudy day.

I spoke with Ryan’s father following his trip to Arizona, asking if it was necessary for both donor and recipient to have the same blood type for treatment to succeed. He explained why a match was not required. Prior to receiving Ryan’s donated blood and plasma, the recipient would undergo chemotherapy to eliminate cancerous white blood cells and enable stem cells found in Ryan’s plasma to find their way into the recipient’s bone marrow and begin reproducing his blood in place of the recipient’s own. Both the recipient and Ryan will share identical blood types once transfusion and healing are completed. With their actions, Ryan and Monica have both joined the ranks of Phillis Wheatly and Anne Sullivan in my book.

More than two millennia ago, a carpenter from Bethlehem gave generously to make a difference for others, whether they knew Him or not. Each of us today also has potential to make a positive difference this holiday season and well beyond. What opportunities will you act on to help others, whether you know them or not?