I work for a blood bank in its telephone recruiting department. That means I call folks to set up blood donation appointments. In the year I have worked at our regional blood bank, Blood Assurance I have learned that giving blood is important. There are patients in hospitals who need it every day to save and sustain life.
The opportunity donate is a great way to help your family, friends and neighbors by having a safe and adequate blood supply available to those who need it. If you have an opportunity give the gift of life whenever you can. People who need it will thank you for it.
The Tony Burgess Blog 
I have tried to go, but I am SO scared of needles! Seriously, just reading your post made me feel really giddy. Any tips on how to get over this?
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I’m also terrified of needles but I’m more terrified of people dying for lack of blood. Things that help me are …
I make sure I have someone else who can drive so if I get dizzy it’s no problem
I don’t look at the needle, at all, no matter what.
I go to a center that is in a building instead of a van because I don’t have to watch others and the center goes slower and the building staff seem gentler to me
I eat a high protein meal before and after donation be sure I’m well hydrated and make sure I have nothing else planned to do that day.
I look at it as a challenge, I refuse to let fear control me. 😉
In our family it’s considered a social obligation to donate blood whenever we can. My kids usually make a big deal of their first donation on their 16th birthday and are excited about it. I usually arrange for them to come with me or an older sibling a few times before to see what is done. Maybe you could join a friend when they’re giving?
Sometimes I can’t donate because my iron gets too low but most of the time it’s no problem.
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Thank you for your comment. I still want to break down and cry at the thought of a needle. But I think it’s a great idea to go with a friend. Only thing is anyone I’ve ever gone with, has almost had their hand broken… I will try again. I know how important it is. A very dear friend mine needed a number of blood transfusions. OK. Deep breath… Here I go…
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Go with a friend and if you can’t do it, its OK. Fear is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to the donor tech and they should be able to make you feel at ease.
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They don’t usually take blood from the hand anymore. It’s a simple finger prick to test for iron, and then they most often use a vein in the arm to actually remove a unit of blood. I’m a chicken and I don’t do pain well so I won’t lie and tell you it is going to be easy or pleasant. For folks like us it is never either of those things. It is worth it.
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Thanks. I think I’ll think of my friend and how she wouldn’t be alive today had it not been for donors.
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Not only direct blood recipients either. There are many medicines that are derived from “stuff” found only in our blood. Immune globulin drugs like Rhogam can be life savers it is given to protect infants whose blood may be of a type incompatible to their mothers. Anyway, ha ha, as you can see I’m a blood donation advocate.
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Yes, I can. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll certainly try. 🙂
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Thank you for your willingness to donate even though you aren’t 100% comfortable with it. You rock!
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Thanks, I’ve never been one to let fear control me.
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Believe me, I have tried. But I have a fear of needles! Seriously, just reading your post made me feel giddy. Do you have any tips on how to get around this?
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I say relax and let the donor tech know that you have a fear and they should be able to help.
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Thanks Tony. I’ll certainly point that out.
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Atcone time I drew blood and prepared it for delivery at one hospital I work.
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Wow… the intro was dark…
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