Once upon a time I was needle phobic. Then I got pregnant and had to have blood drawn to protect my unborn baby so I put my big girl pants on and had it done. Imagine at 20 years old being checked for syphilis now that’s gross but it was standard procedure. Just for the record, it was negative.
So now I could get a blood test done without having an anxiety attack but I still wouldn’t voluntarily go and get stuck. Over time I began to feel a little guilty because there are a lot of people who can’t give blood, add to that those who are scared, and those who don’t give a damn, there aren’t many people left.
I was faced with a situation when my sister was having an operation and I wanted to donate but they wouldn’t take my blood for a direct transfer and as it turns out we didn’t have the same blood type. It did get me thinking that the blood she got was from someone who did step up.
My friend volunteered every year for a memorial clinic at our elementary school. One year we made a pact that the two “chickens” would take the whole year to gird up our loins (look it up) and then give blood at the next year’s blood donor clinic. Boy that year flew by! But true to our word we stood in line to get poked.
The needle is rather large and because I have low blood pressure, I have to squeeze a ball the whole time. It’s a great feeling and everyone is very nice plus you get cookies at the end, so it can’t be that bad.
I will give you one tip I learned the hard way the last time I gave blood. I didn’t eat before I went and went afterwards to a restaurant, had two glasses of wine and passed out flat on the floor before dinner. The ambulance came, it was so embarrassing. I didn’t give blood for two years.
The pre-donation questionnaire gets more restrictive every near. No more having sex with monkeys, too bad. My favorite question is whether over the last 12 months I’ve been in prison. I’m assuming this wasn’t a metaphor because I did say no.
This weekend Hema Quebec called me again… I gave in and agreed to go tonight. It went very well and I’m proud to say that this was my 15th donation which is not as much as it could be but it’s not too bad. It only took 7 minutes and it arguably the best spent time of my day, maybe my month.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Kay you ae an incredible writer and i love opening up my computer and reading of your latest endeavors. I too am a donor and there truly is not better gift. I have always wanted to meet someone who had a loved one who needed blood. Well unfortunately one of OUR neighbors just lost her dad out west i may add, but in speaking with her and her loss and her finding out i was a donor she thanked me for what i had done. i felt very special in the small gesture but was very grateful to have met a woman whose Dad had needed many transfusions close to his death. So lets keep giving it is rather easy and timeless.
I must admit, I’m a chicken as well! Everytime I see those Hema Quebec blood-giving stations, I cringe,gag,and hurry by, because I can almost FEEL the gigantic needle stabbing into my vein! ( I have been known to exaggerate a little,haven’t I, Kay?)
I have thought about donating many times, but then I find a million excuses not to do it. Without a doubt, if someone I loved needed blood, I would not hesistate to give as much as I could. But what if my blood isn’t a match with theirs? I hadn’t really given that much thought.
Thank you for writing this post. It might take me some time, but eventually I’m going to suck it up, and give some blood.
Amy, I know you will because you’re very brave when it comes right down to it. If you want to come with me next time, we can go together.
It doesn’t hurt more than a blood test. Let me know.
My first and last blood donation was about 10 years ago during my last year in college. I was an officer of the Red Cross Organization in our school so I just felt like I was obliged to donate. LOL. Made sense at that time because, come to think of it, how can we convince other students to donate when the RCO officers can’t even do it, right?
Now, you’re on your 15th donation. Congratulations! You probably saved a life or more already.
Paula, thank you so much for reading my blog. You made my day with your comments. I’m glad that you are interested in my adventures. I try to share things that others would find either useful or interesting.
Congratulations on being a blood donor, you sound like a caring person. Please keep reading and bring friends.
Gee, thanks for sharing your experience. I have to ask why you haven’t done it again? This may not be your case but in speaking with others I’ve observed that even those who can and have for some reason just don’t. One thing they’ve improved on is here we can now get appointments which greatly decreases the time and you don’t have to wait in line which nobody likes especially when we’re doing things for others.
There’s an ongoing blood drive at work right now and I would normally consider giving blood, but I had just had excessive bleeding (mens) and I’m afraid I might pass out. The only time I’ve ever donated was when my grandma was in the hospital many years ago.
Admittedly, I am also mildly afraid of needles going into my inner skin. Whew! I have never donated any blood in my whole life.
Reading your post can change my view on blood donation.
Tom, I promise you that if you try it, the feeling of doing something great for someone on top of conquering your fears will cure you of your fear. It’s always nice to put one behind us. Let me know if you do give blood and I would appreciate getting your feedback. Good luck.