Courtney Marlow, Social Media & Influencer Marketing Supervisor
We’re taught from a young age that helping a stranger is a selfless act meant to benefit the other person. It’s framed as a one-way street of generosity. But after my own experience, I’d argue the opposite: helping a stranger can move your soul just as much as (if not more than) the person you’re helping.
When I was strolling through campus in college, I signed up for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry and like most people, I never actually expected to be selected. Statistically, only about 1 in 430 members ever go on to donate, so I forgot about the swab almost as soon as I walked away from the table.
From Swab to Soul-Moving
Years later, I got the call. My first thought was that it was a scam. I was skeptical enough that they actually had to FedEx me a physical letter and call my mom (ha!) before I realized it was the real deal. Then came the disbelief. I was the only perfect match for a stranger fighting Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and suddenly, I was preparing to do a stem cell donation. That tiny statistical chance had become my reality.
The “Giving” Paradox
While it might seem like I was the one “giving” in this situation, I can honestly say that the experience moved my soul in a way I wasn’t prepared for. It’s hard to articulate the weight of being handed the opportunity to give someone else hope. You go into it thinking you’re performing a service, but you come out of it with a shifted perspective on the weight of a single life, regardless of whether they’re a stranger or loved one.
A Two-Way Street
In the crazy, fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to get caught up in our own bubbles, like our own schedules, goals, and close circles of friends. But this experience is a great reminder that Moving Souls isn’t just a tagline we use at work; it’s a human practice.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Looking back, it really shifted my perspective on generosity and reminded me to prioritize infusing it into my daily life more often. You never know when a friendly smile, a donation, or a helping hand could make a huge difference. And let’s face it, there are moments in all of our lives when we’re the “stranger” in need.
And if I’ve successfully moved your soul today, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to sign up here to get on the registry list 🙂
