How much does a human life cost? I’d say as much as a blender at least.

It’s been a strange start to the month.

I was already freaking out about business goals and my to do list, but something halted me this weekend. Hearing about a friend’s illness always does. Okay, maybe she’s not a friend, but…

She’s a lovely 25-year-old girl I’ve seen once or twice at my Mum’s work. She’s always laughing and beaming at the people around her.

And she’s been diagnosed with skin cancer of all things.

Sitting there, sipping coke at the coffee shop, I was looking at my Mum — compassionate person that she is — almost crying because of this awful news. We had talked about buying a blender that weekend, to make margaritas and healthy liquid breakfasts. We were looking forward to it.

But looking at my Mum, telling me about Tedi — that lovely 25-year-old girl — I immediately stopped her and said:

“Why don’t we donate the blender money to her fund!”

You see, Tedi had been diagnosed a while back, but it’s been getting really tough lately, and her only chance now is a very expensive therapy in Turkey. Her best friends — also working where my Mum does — are raising funds to help her family afford this. They’ve started campaigns everywhere — facebook, gofundme, paypal, etc.

Inspired by their fight and hope for their friend, I realized buying a blender at this moment would be a ridiculous and selfish thing to do. We could buy it another time; it won’ go away.

When I said what I said about the blender money, my Mum cried. She cried like someone had just handed her medicine for her sick baby. I had to console her right there in the middle of the coffee shop.

I hadn’t realized what a big difference such a small gesture could make.

Now I know. The next time you get to choose between buying a kitchen appliance and helping save a young life, choose the latter.

The Universe keeps track. You’ll be rewarded for your kindness.