I gave blood Friday. I try to give as often as I can, but it boils down to
about twice a year. I'm just kind of a weenie about it, I mean, it's a huge
needle in my arm depleting me of 1/8th of my life sustaining fluids. They
don't say that in their ads, that wouldn't be appealing!
When I was younger, our church seemed to do a blood drive every few months.
It was always on a Saturday, and I would go with my Dad. He claimed to need
my help driving home (stick shift:). I remember the big van, how cold it
was inside, the tiny cans of orange juice and the graham crackers he got to
munch on. It just seemed so cool.
At my first opportunity, a couple of months after I turned 17, the
blood-mobile came to my high school! I was really excited. Really.
Anyway, they sent me to the nurse to get weighed (I kept my backpack on,
that brought me up to 111 lbs! Ha!) and proudly marched back to the big
cold van. I guess I'd never paid too close attention to my Dad when they
got down to business...They stuck that needle in, and my whole breakfast
came up. I blacked out and when I woke up I was covered (face, stomach and
arms) with cold, wet, compresses. I threw up again and requested they
remove the needle from my vein.
I felt so defeated.
I had a series of bad "blood drawing" experiences after that. It wasn't
until 2004 or 5 that I even attempted another donation. I just really felt
the need. I went with friends and it was fine. Here's my pro's and con's
list, maybe you'll find a reason to give if you don't already!!
Pros:
1. Knowing you are doing something to help someone else. Did you know that
only about 5% of the population donates blood, but that 25% of the
population will require at least one transfusion in their lifetime?? Are
you helping??
2. Potentially helping yourself; did you know that if you give say, 10 units
of blood, then if you have to have surgery and need a transfusion, you will
not be billed for the blood you use if you have donated enough to cover it?
Even though your actual blood will probably be going to someone else, it's
just their way of saying thanks and saving you some dough!
3. Fee snacks! They let you, almost insist actually, that you sip a soda
while your arm is being mutilated. I really do need this, it gives me
something else to think about. They say the high sugar helps to keep you
from passing out.
4. New friends. Because I am so squeamish, I definitely do not watch myself
get poked or anything after, and I have to keep talking or something to keep
my mind distracted. I usually flag down anyone within eyesight that's not
too busy and make them stand and talk to me! I have met several people from
my building and gotten to know lots of Red Cross workers this way :) We
talk about kids, sports, weather, books, you name it, as long as there is
never a silence!
5. Cool sticker, I am the dork that keeps the sticker on all day! "Be nice
to me, I gave blood today!". Someone told me that there's a real reason to
wear it: if you happened to be in a car accident or something, the
paramedics would automatically know that you are short a unit of blood.
That would greatly influence the type of care you got. And they would
probably pump that unit of blood right back in, ha!
Cons:
1. The sticking part. Blah! My arm aches, the needle is huge! (I think,
I'm not positive I've ever really seen it...)
2. I am usually a little woozy for an hour or so. But I also help myself to
as much food as I feel like that day b/c making new RBC's takes extra
calories!!
about twice a year. I'm just kind of a weenie about it, I mean, it's a huge
needle in my arm depleting me of 1/8th of my life sustaining fluids. They
don't say that in their ads, that wouldn't be appealing!
When I was younger, our church seemed to do a blood drive every few months.
It was always on a Saturday, and I would go with my Dad. He claimed to need
my help driving home (stick shift:). I remember the big van, how cold it
was inside, the tiny cans of orange juice and the graham crackers he got to
munch on. It just seemed so cool.
At my first opportunity, a couple of months after I turned 17, the
blood-mobile came to my high school! I was really excited. Really.
Anyway, they sent me to the nurse to get weighed (I kept my backpack on,
that brought me up to 111 lbs! Ha!) and proudly marched back to the big
cold van. I guess I'd never paid too close attention to my Dad when they
got down to business...They stuck that needle in, and my whole breakfast
came up. I blacked out and when I woke up I was covered (face, stomach and
arms) with cold, wet, compresses. I threw up again and requested they
remove the needle from my vein.
I felt so defeated.
I had a series of bad "blood drawing" experiences after that. It wasn't
until 2004 or 5 that I even attempted another donation. I just really felt
the need. I went with friends and it was fine. Here's my pro's and con's
list, maybe you'll find a reason to give if you don't already!!
Pros:
1. Knowing you are doing something to help someone else. Did you know that
only about 5% of the population donates blood, but that 25% of the
population will require at least one transfusion in their lifetime?? Are
you helping??
2. Potentially helping yourself; did you know that if you give say, 10 units
of blood, then if you have to have surgery and need a transfusion, you will
not be billed for the blood you use if you have donated enough to cover it?
Even though your actual blood will probably be going to someone else, it's
just their way of saying thanks and saving you some dough!
3. Fee snacks! They let you, almost insist actually, that you sip a soda
while your arm is being mutilated. I really do need this, it gives me
something else to think about. They say the high sugar helps to keep you
from passing out.
4. New friends. Because I am so squeamish, I definitely do not watch myself
get poked or anything after, and I have to keep talking or something to keep
my mind distracted. I usually flag down anyone within eyesight that's not
too busy and make them stand and talk to me! I have met several people from
my building and gotten to know lots of Red Cross workers this way :) We
talk about kids, sports, weather, books, you name it, as long as there is
never a silence!
5. Cool sticker, I am the dork that keeps the sticker on all day! "Be nice
to me, I gave blood today!". Someone told me that there's a real reason to
wear it: if you happened to be in a car accident or something, the
paramedics would automatically know that you are short a unit of blood.
That would greatly influence the type of care you got. And they would
probably pump that unit of blood right back in, ha!
Cons:
1. The sticking part. Blah! My arm aches, the needle is huge! (I think,
I'm not positive I've ever really seen it...)
2. I am usually a little woozy for an hour or so. But I also help myself to
as much food as I feel like that day b/c making new RBC's takes extra
calories!!
3. Lingering bruise. (but it looks tough)
So you can clearly see that the positives outweigh the negatives. If you'd
like to learn a little more about blood donation, click
here:http://www.mayoclinic.org/donate-blood-rst/know.html and get out there!
You too, could be a pint low :)
So you can clearly see that the positives outweigh the negatives. If you'd
like to learn a little more about blood donation, click
here:http://www.mayoclinic.org/donate-blood-rst/know.html and get out there!
You too, could be a pint low :)
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