This year for my birthday, I wanted to do something different. I decided to volunteer as a gift to myself. After searching for days for the perfect volunteer opportunity, I was welcomed by a health screening flyer who needed Nurses. How Awesome right? I thought “this is the perfect opportunity for me” so I jumped at the idea. Last Thursday, I gave my time and skills to conducting screenings including BMI, Blood Pressures, and HBa1c to individuals attending the famous CIAA events here in Charlotte. I gave information regarding abnormal testing (Hypertension, Pre-Diabetes, Obesity, ect) and answered questions participants had. It felt great to be out in the community educating and away from my usual environment. After I left the event, I knew the start to my birthday would be a satisfying one!

If you have a birthday or celebration coming up, I challenge you to take some time to volunteer! The feeling you get after doing something great is an amazing one. I can honestly say that it was a great jump start to an amazing birthday!