What Seasonal Flu and My Trip to Haiti Have In Common

What Seasonal Flu and My Trip to Haiti Have In Common. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GetAShot #CollectiveBias

What Seasonal Flu and My Trip to Haiti Have In Common #GetAShot

It’s Back to School time, which means Seasonal Flu season is right around the corner. While most parents are focusing on school bus schedules, homework help, and keeping those kids germ-free, I’ve been sitting here looking through an old photo album from my trip to Haiti. Didn’t know that I’ve been to Haiti before? Well, honestly it’s not something that I talk about much. I didn’t have the experience I was hoping for.

I was in high school when my family received the opportunity to travel to Haiti on a once in a lifetime mission trip. I remember having so much hope before we left. I was determined to make a difference for the Haitian people. Fast forward to the end of my trip, I was emotionally drained. The drudging heat with no air conditioning, having rocks hurled at our group and having people constantly “touching” me all the time (Asians were a novelty in Haiti)…I had had enough.

Merchant Cards from the Haitian Shops

I didn’t have the storybook ending to a mission trip like everyone else. But I do have some amazing memories. The one thing that continues to stick in my mind? The children. The Haitian children were just amazing. Their eyes lit up every time that we saw them, wondering what we had brought them, if we would buy any of their “souvenirs” from their little shops (aka blanket on the ground), what game they were going to play with us today. They didn’t know how desperate their situation was or where their next meal was coming from. They had beautiful smiles and innocence. Those children are what made the difference for me on this trip, and why I was so excited to learn about Get a Shot. Give a Shot.

1 in 5. That’s how many children in the world do not have access to life saving immunizations. But this seasonal flu season, you can make a difference.

From now through October 13th, for every flu shot or other adult immunization you receive at Walgreens, you will help provide a life-saving vaccine to a child in a developing country through the United Nation Foundation’s Shot@Life Campaign. That’s one life you could be saving, one child from a country like Haiti. Just head into your local Walgreens and get your annual seasonal flu shot. Walk out knowing that your provided life to a child. That’s it. 3 million vaccines were donated last year. Let’s give more for 2014. Get a Shot. Give a Shot. It’s a simple concept that can have life changing results.

When I receive my seasonal flu shot this year, I’ll be thinking about those kids in Haiti. Those children left a lasting impression on me to do more, give more, and be more for them. With the Walgreens Get a Shot. Give a Shot Campaign, I know that I will be giving them more than a vaccine.

I’m giving those kids hope.

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