I remember a few years back when I first started seriously considering donating blood. I was nervous...probably somewhat due to the stories I had heard growing up of my dad fainting in front of his football team when he went. (Dad...if you're reading this...I love you! haha) I found though that the more "frequent donors" I talked to the less scary it sounded. I made 3 appointments back while I was living in the City, but had to cancel each time because I got sick just before.
When I moved to the Little Town I temporarily lost the drive that I needed in order to make the commitment to make the journey to the closest clinic (now 45 minutes 1 way to the closest temporary one, and 1.5 hrs to the closest permanent one). I still wanted to do it...someday...but I didn't really put the effort into making it happen.
Last year though, just before my move, I went to visit my little sister. On the way to her house I heard an ad on the radio by Canadian Blood Services asking people to donate for the long weekend. I was tired, and feeling very impressionable...and since she had given me free reign to plan out our weekend I decided that was something we were going to do! We answered all the questions right and made our appointments that evening for the following day. (What can I say? ...Don't ask me to make plans when I'm tired haha).
I was still a little nervous as we arrived at the clinic, but that soon went away with the help of friendly and informative staff, nurses, and phlebotomists (Just as an aside...if I ever decide to change careers I am going to become a phlebotomist! Not only does it sound cool, but it just rocks as a job in general). Everything went smoothly, we got to watch some Mr. Bean while we were making our donations, and we were given 1st time stickers, and pins, and all the cookies and juice we wanted when we were done!
A few weeks later I got my card in the mail, making me an official donor, and informing me of my blood type. All in all it was a totally positive experience, and actually a lot of fun. I went back in November with a couple of friends in the Bigger City (ironically the clinic is still about a 35ish minute drive from my Sleepy Town, but since I am working in the Bigger City it doesn't seem that hard to get to anymore). We raced to see who would get the fastest time, and had a ton of fun while we were there. Then I went again last week with a different friend (it was her first time...yippee!).
So, why do I donate blood? Well, I consider it a privilege. I have the opportunity to help 3 people every 58 days. Not everyone can do that...and I am very lucky that I can. It can be a lot of fun going with a group of people. It can give you a chance to get to know others better and make new friends. It is actually quite relaxing...both clinics that I've been to everyone is calm and smiling and happy...because anyone there is there because they want to be! There's no rushing or stress that you find most other places these days. It doesn't take long...and it's easy to fit in around other things. And to top it all off you get a mini check-up and free cookies and juice!
Maybe YOU can come with me next time :)
<3 Z
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