Miles of Kindness: How One Spontaneous “Why Not?” Became a Mission to Save Lives
A cross-country adventure on Route 66 to inspire blood donations and spread kindness.
What happens when your passion collides with your crazy sense of adventure? Watch out… because it just might be the moment your dreams come true.
Let me back up and explain.
As anyone who knows me is aware, I am deeply passionate about encouraging people to donate blood. Blood donation has had a life-changing impact on the two people I love most in the world—my late husband, Bob, and our incredible daughter, Kayleigh. I have seen firsthand the profound effect a single blood donation can have: the ability to save not one, but three lives through one simple act.
I also have a passion for adventure—for saying yes and seeing where the road leads.
And that’s exactly what happened nearly a year ago on Labor Day, when I received a text that read:
“Hear me out here… what do you think about riding Route 66 and filming it for Life with Lori?”
At the time, I was sitting in a lounge chair overlooking the lagoon at my best friend’s beach house—completely relaxed, surrounded by my favorite people, cocktail in hand.
My answer?
An immediate:
“SURE! WHY NOT?!”
I didn’t know the details—the how, the when, or the why. I just knew it sounded like fun, and I was all in.
The text came from my friend Marie Forrestal. Marie and I go way back to Hillside Avenue School, where I taught for 33 years and where her two boys were students. While I never had the pleasure of teaching them, Marie and I would cross paths in the hallways and at school events, chatting about travel and swapping stories about our latest adventures.
Marie, who worked for the New York Blood Center for many years, loves to tell the story of how our friendship really began—when I approached her one day and said, “Are you the blood lady? I’d like to get involved.” That shared passion for blood donation—and for adventure—connected us all those years ago. Neither of us could have imagined where it would lead in 2026.
After I said yes to that Labor Day text, the idea quickly took on a life of its own.
We met with our favorite TV35 producer, Chris Hoffman, to explore how to bring it to life. While she fully believed in the vision, we soon realized the scope of what we were dreaming of would require more time than she could step away from her family and responsibilities to give. She cheered us on, but we knew we had to keep looking.
Around that same time, we began thinking about something bigger—how to tie our passion for blood donation into this adventure.
Our nation is facing a blood supply crisis. Donations are declining, and there is a very real possibility that people—especially those with rare blood types—may not receive what they need when they need it. So we asked ourselves: What if this journey could be more than just an adventure? What if we used it to advocate, educate, and inspire? Maybe even host blood drives along the way?
That’s when our idea truly began to take shape.
And then…the universe stepped in.
Through a series of fortuitous connections, we were introduced to Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Matt Payne and his creative partner, Carissa Cozzini. After several Zoom calls—each of us in different states—our vision began to crystallize.
We would travel across Route 66 during its centennial celebration. Over the course of about two weeks, we would drive together, spreading awareness about blood donation. And because our world feels so divided right now, we decided that sharing random acts of kindness would also be central to our mission.
We would document it all, creating a film that could reach far beyond the people we meet along the way—a film that might inspire someone to donate blood or simply to be a little kinder.
This was really happening.
Next came the question: What would we travel in?
We knew it had to have personality—a lot of personality. We considered everything from classic cars to rentals, but ultimately landed on something unforgettable: a tricked-out retro ambulance we lovingly call Rosie the Rescuer.
Rosie will be our moving billboard—wrapped in our logo and spreading our message wherever she goes. Inside, she’ll be designed in a boho-chic style, giving us a cozy space to unwind, reflect, and recharge after long days on the road.
Rosie isn’t just transportation… she’s the third personality in this adventure.
So when does it all begin?
Very soon.
On July 7, Marie and I, along with our incredible team, will depart from Chicago and make our way to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, arriving around July 19. Along the way, we’ll perform random acts of kindness—big and small—for people we meet. We’ll host blood drives and have meaningful conversations about the power of donation.
At the end of it all, our hope is simple: that we move the needle, even just a little, and make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Want to follow along?
Visit Miles of Kindness and sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on social media—Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok. We’re a little Lucy and Ethel, a little Thelma and Louise (minus the ending 😉)… and I promise, there will be plenty of shenanigans along the way.
And in the meantime, here’s where you come in.
We’ve set a goal of 2,500 blood donations—one for every mile of Route 66.
You can help us get there.
Visit Miles of Kindness to register for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing. Then head to DonatingBlood.org to select a location and donate blood. Your one donation could save three different lives.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about a road trip.
It’s about showing up for one another.
It’s about choosing kindness.
And it’s about remembering that one small act—just one—has the power to save lives.
So… why not be that person?
