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I am a latecomer to blood donation . I regret this. I have always wanted to be a person who donated blood. The 4th grade teacher I idolized, Mr. Dunkley, took us on a fieldtrip to the hospital and donated blood before our eyes. He was so noble! so brave! I wanted to be like him. Later, in high school, Hawkeye Pierce and the gang, my M*A*S*H friends, were always ready to lie down and pull up their sleeves when someone needed them–and someone often did.
Well, I don’t live in a war zone, but the Red Cross tells me that every 2 seconds in the United States someone needs blood. I can donate as often as every 56 days, but my blood’s shelf life is only 42 days. In fact, last year a study suggested that patients who are transfused with blood older than 28 days are more likely to suffer infections. So, the fresher the blood, the better. That means the more donors the better. The difficult part is that donors are hard to get. Less than 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. Of those eligible, most don’t donate. There are a lot of us who are squeamish and afraid of needles!
But if you are someone who can donate, consider the cancer patients, the new mothers, the car accident victims, etc., who may need your blood. Some day you could be the one who needs blood or your mom, sister or daughter, your dad, your brother, your boss, or your best friend. Or several of you. One thing is almost certain: if you can donate regularly, you will help people. The need for transfusions is rising 6% every year, and the number of donations isn’t rising that fast. We hope for artificial blood, but it’s still a hope for the future. Today what’s true is that if you can donate blood, YOU ARE NEEDED. If you can’t donate, you can help by volunteering, organizing a blood drive, or my personal favorite: babysitting for someone who wants to donate! (The donation process takes almost an hour start to finish and no one wants to take small children to a blood donation center).
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5 Responses to “Why I’m A Donor”
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I always admired my dad’s willingness to donate often. Unfortunately, they won’t take my blood. However, my doctor says that they would still love to have me donate tissue or whatever when I die, in spite of having had cancer and ITP (blood disease).
The same life experiences that have helped me mostly overcome my fear of needles pertain to the reasons I can’t donate (i.e. I’m too unhealthy and on too many medications). I like your idea of babysitting for someone else, though–I should keep that option in mind.
You are great lady. Thanks for reminding us all about donating blood or at least helping in the process for someone else. What an advicate you are.
Thanks for the suggestion to babysit kids for a donor! I’ve never thought of that… It makes me kinda crazy that I can’t donate (always tell people it’s because I’m underweight HA!) since I have no problem at all giving it. Story of my life…
I enjoy donating blood. Fortunately, I have never been squeamish about the process. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but I can fill up one of those bags in about 4 minutes. I guess it’s competitive of me:) but I like to race the person in the next bed.