Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
What Teens Can Do to Help in Times of Crisis | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My name is Arielle. I am 16 years old and live in Brooklyn, NY.
I want to do everything and anything I can do to help in this horrific situation, like giving blood. The only problem is that I'm not legally allowed to give blood because of my age--you have to be 17. Therefore I am trying to contact help-hotline/services to ask them what I can do to help. If you need water, I will buy you some; if you need money, I will give you some--I literally mean anything. So, please, if there is something that you know that I can do to help, just let me know and I will do everything in my power to do it for you. — Arielle | | | ANSWER |
September 17, 2001 | | | Dear Arielle,
If everyone had a heart as big as yours, we wouldn't have to be dealing with this tragedy right now! It is wonderful that you have chosen to take some control of your own emotions and the situation by lending a helping hand.
That said, there are many ways someone your age can help in times of crisis. One of the most important things you can do in your own community is to see if there are any younger children (brothers or sisters, neighbors, etc.) around you who need comforting, a good listener, or just someone to play with while they and their families absorb the impact of this trauma. Other ways you can help include participating in fundraising efforts, distributing American flags (or offering to install flag-holders for neighbors who are elderly or infirm), or writing letters of appreciation to the many heroes created by this tragedy (e.g., New York City firefighters and police officers). You also can volunteer for events memorializing this disaster in your own school, church, neighborhood, or town (check your local radio or TV stations or newspapers for opportunities, or go to online resources such as the Helping.org website). For other ideas please see our articles on what you can do and charitable donations, and keep checking our site over the coming days and weeks for more ideas on how you can help. Don't be discouraged that you can't give blood yet--although you are not able to in the face of this particular tragedy, making blood donation a lifelong habit is something that you can do in the future to help others in need.
Finally, please remember to take care of yourself as well. This tragedy has affected every one of us, whether we are adults, teenagers, or younger children. — by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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