Hey fam,
What if everyone that donated blood also got free lab testing at the same time?
That’s now starting to happen, thanks to a guy named Grant Brewster.
Grant was working as a software engineer when diagnosed with a condition called genetic hemochromatosis, where his body couldn’t properly process iron, so he had to donate blood weekly as a treatment.
But on top of that, he would have to get separate tests to monitor the condition, and when he asked why he couldn’t do both at the same time, everyone just said it’s not something they do, but couldn’t give a good reason for it.
He knew that donating blood was so important to save the lives of millions, yet there were often shortages, while at the same time getting lab testing is expensive and inaccessible.
So he set out to change the system.
He quit his job, started an organization called Goodlabs, and began partnering with blood centers to offer anyone that donates blood free laboratory testing of their choice.
I went to their website to count, and there’s at least 212 different tests you can get, from a typical check-up to specific vitamins, heart health, and beyond.
And the team told me that this is already working to bring more people in the door and keep them coming back: one center they partnered with saw an 18% boost, while another beat its year-long goal of 700 new donors in just two months.
So would this make you more likely to donate blood?
What else is going right in the world:
🏺 1 million looted museum items have been returned to their original homes over the past 75 years, led by the US sending back 101,000 culturally significant pieces.
🌳 China has more than doubled its mangrove forests which in turn raised the number of bird species from 148 up to 397.
🚫 Etsy banned AI patterns, recipes, and listings from its site, requiring transparency for anything AI-generated to protect artists and small businesses. While some of their other policies seem to be pretty AI-friendly, hopefully this is a sign that companies will continue taking the right steps toward protecting the public.
💡 Corvo Island did its yearly tradition of turning off the lights at night to let baby Cory’s Shearwater seabirds safely fly by since they rely on the stars.
📈 A law in England that requires a 10% gain in biodiversity for construction projects just expanded to include major infrastructure developments.
🌞 This amazing chart shows that the production of solar power keeps dramatically outperforming the International Energy Agency’s predictions as the tech gets better and cheaper while fossil fuels do the opposite.
🪲 A rare beetle that secretes an orange goo from its knees when alarmed was rediscovered in Wales.
Our community took action
Haley Lockehart joined her community in picking up 25 bags of trash along the side of the highway.
I made a video with Climate Power on an underrated election win: 45 out of 46 data center restrictions passed.
What’s your highlight from this week?
Remember that we build a better future together. Thanks for joining me in replacing dread & fear with hope & action. Let’s keep it going!
Forward this breath of fresh air to someone you love, and see you next week for more.
Talk soon,
Jacob
This newsletter was written by Jacob Simon. Over 1.5 million people are in our community across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You can say hi on LinkedIn, or by hitting reply. Brand illustration by Andrea Miralles. Thanks for helping spread some positivity, and see you next week for more.
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