I just did something brand new for the first time in my life, and despite having been nervous, it all feels worth it. I donated blood at my local Red Cross. Although the part with the needle hurt, the overall experience was positive. The volunteers at the center were friendly and organized. I felt comfortable knowing I was in knowledgeable and caring hands.
My father has donated blood for most of my life. So far he has given nearly 6 gallons of blood to those who need it, so I have been exposed to the process for a long time. I remember eating the fig newtons with him and my brother at a blood drive when we were both little.
I was inspired to donate blood myself when I read the story about little 10-year-old Emily Smith on The Survivors Club who lived - thanks to the blood donations of others. I asked myself, “why don't you give it a try? It can help people out.” So I did. I registered on the Red Cross website and set up a time to donate. Surprisingly, they book up quick!
I learned that every two seconds someone in the US needs blood. The blood is used to help people survive traumatic accidents, diseases like cancer, and help newborn babies. The exchange of life seems uneven. I just have to lay down for 10 minutes on a padded hospital bed and withstand the quickly dissipating sting of the blood drawing needle. Then I squeeze a foam ball for four seconds and release for four seconds as Carl, a tall older gentlemen with glasses and a white mustache gently councils me through the experience. To think that these 10 minutes can save up to three lives. That 10 minutes of mild discomfort can give someone else a future.
Out of all Red Cross blood donors, 31 percent are first-time donors, 19 percent donate occasionally, and 50 percent are regular, loyal donors. It's great that so many people including myself are making an effort to try something new and help people in the process. Not to mention those lifesaving loyal donors.
When I first walked into the clinic, the volunteer at the check-in desk proudly announced to the room that I was a first-time donor. I received a special donor pin and sticker for being a first-time donor. I then signed some paperwork and was given some reading material to brief myself on the blood donating experience.
After I finished reading, Tarah guided me to a confidential room where I had my pulse and blood pressure tested. I also had my finger pricked to check the iron content of my blood. All the health signs were perfect. I then completed a quick health background check to make sure my blood was safe for those that need it. After all that, I walked into the donor room where I was introduced to compassionate Carl.
The most common needs for donated blood include:
1.Emergencies – a car accident can cause a victim to require nearly 100 pints of blood.
2. Sickle cell disease which affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98 percent of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
3.Cancer patients – During chemotherapy patients may require blood, sometimes daily. With more than 1 million new people diagnosed with cancer every year, this is a constant need.
Carl picked a nice big vein in my right arm and rubbed it with iodine – twice. It almost tickled. Then I was hooked up and pricked with the needle. This brings my story full circle. While my blood was being taken I concentrated on counting to four and squeezing the ball and then counting four as I relaxed my grip. There were nine other donors in the room as well. Some had content smiles on their faces, others were reading books and even others were engaged in animated conversations with the staff.
When my donation was complete and Carl had applied the red bandage, I rested in the chair for a few minutes, listening to “I'm a Believer” by The Monkees until it finished.
After a donation, the Red Cross offers your refreshments. I had cookies and coffee and sat talking to Anne. The 86-year-old woman volunteers at the Red Cross every Monday. We talked about the internet and the evolution of new technology like Skype. She even uses email and the internet.
For those of you who have never donated blood, why not? Give it a try. If you want to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone, this is a great way to help people survive in the process.
