How to Be a Hero in Just One Hour

I HATE NEEDLES.

If I wasn’t so concerned with NOT looking like a puss wad, I probably would have passed out each and every time I was confronted with a needle in my life. The reasons are numerous.

When I go to the doctor for my yearly blood work, the only way I can deal with it is to turn away, close my eyes, and sing show tunes in my head. Because I’ve had eczema all my life, it makes it very hard to find a vein on my arm. Typically, I get poked two or three times (Ow. Ow. OW!). At that point, they either find a vein or we have to draw the blood panel from a vein in my hand. And all this doesn’t even include the time I was in the hospital emergency room with an IV stuck in my arm that ended up bleeding out while I was asleep and leaving a bruise because no one listened to Lenny when he said, “Should that be happening?”

Oh yeah…needles and me are “best friends.” So why the heck did I donate a pint of my own blood yesterday for the second time in my life? And why am I planning to do it again in June? Did I mention they used a 12-guage needle?

It started six months ago. We had just gotten the broadcast e-mail at work that United Blood Services would have their mobile donation center in our parking lot. Me and my co-worker looked at each other and said, “Why the hell not?” This was totally out of character for both of us. The donation center had been here before, but we’d never signed-up. My co-worker didn’t want to go by herself, but no one else wanted to go. Our department was populated by young kids just out of high school who hated needles as much as I did.

So I guess the bravura in me kicked in. Yeah, that’s right; I made my appointment in some twisted reasoning to prove a point. Call me an idiot, but call me a philanthropic idiot.

I’m glad my ego got the best of me. The experience was pretty eye opening. Going through the survey and interview with the staff, you realize just how important blood donation is. The pre-screening questions and testing are so thorough these days, it eliminates a lot of people due to illness and other circumstances. So, the pool of potential donors gets smaller. That means that it is true: EVERY donor counts.

The actual donation of blood itself is pretty simple. The two types of donation I’m familiar with is the standard Whole Blood and a new process called Double Red Cell Donation. In Whole Blood donation, the donor gives all components of blood: Red cells, plasma, and platelets. Everyone who passes the pre-screen and interview can donate a pint every 8 weeks.

With the latter, a donor gives just red cells. But because they return the plasma back into you body, they’re able to take twice as much from you without any major harm. If you’re a regular donor, this cuts down on your visits per year. And since red cells are the component that’s most in demand, every little bit counts. DCR donors must meet some special requirements before they can donate. I’m an O+ blood type, which excited the girl giving my pre-interview. She immediately asked how tall I was. Unfortunately, I’m too short for the DCR. Donors are screened for minimal blood volume. For men, you have to be at least 5’1 and weigh at least 130 pounds. Ladies, you have to be at least 5’5 and 150 pounds.

Whatever the donation case may be, I’m now a big supporter of it. Though I despise needles, I’m willing to take the time and do it. From a charity standpoint, your pint of blood could be the difference. From a personal standpoint, I don’t see how I COULDN’T do it. I’m operating under the “Give one, Take one” philosophy. If I give a pint of my own blood, somewhere along the line I’m going to get it back. And if I’m lucky enough to not need it, I’m banking that good karma for the people I love.

To my shock, as me and my “Donation Buddy” walked out to the parking lot yesterday for our scheduled appointment, I made a surprising discovery. I had mentioned to her that a lot of co-workers were wondering why we were doing it. I explained my philosophy mentioned above. As we walked in the sunlight of a perfect Arizona spring day, she put in her two cents. “Hey, I have to give back. I got three pints this year.” I didn’t dig further. I didn’t need to know why she needed three pints. All I needed to know was that our donation was being put to good use. Talk about instant gratification about knowing you’re doing the right thing. We hadn’t even entered the mobile donation center!

If you’re able to, go ahead and donate to your local blood bank. It’s one of the easiest things to do to make a mark in this world. Make a difference and give! In my case…I’ll be giving until it hurts (Friggin’ needles!).

For more information on the web about blood donation:

For general statistics on Blood Donation: http://dartmed.dartmouth.edu/winter05/html/vs_facts.php
For information in the U.S.: http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/
For information in Canada: http://www.bloodservices.ca/
For information in the U.K.: http://www.blood.co.uk/
For information in Australia: http://www.giveblood.redcross.org.au/