My first experience giving blood corresponded to a day we have collectively agreed not to forget. On September 11th, 2001, I was a senior at Fairfield University and I watched the news come in as I heard neighbors crying through their windows and collecting in common areas consoling one another. That day, a group of my colleagues and I agreed we needed to do something, anything, to help out. Like many of you, we were left with more questions than answers and we felt helpless. Someone in our group suggested we give blood which eventually brought us to Bridgeport, CT one city over to make an appointment that night. That was the first time I gave blood for the greater good and it wouldn’t be my last. The procedure is life-giving and the benefits it provides outweigh the minor discomfort you’ll feel or the inconvenience to your schedule you’ll encounter.
Purpose
In an emergency, there is often confusion as to what can be done. On 9-11, there were others like me who rolled up their sleeves and provided a pint. Thankfully, this nation hasn’t seen a major terrorist attack on our soil since 2001 but we have absolutely seen time and time again events we wish never happened. We’ve seen school shootings, we’ve seen natural disasters, and on a much smaller scale, we’ve had personal tragedies hit us. Often, the victims of these require blood transfusions or units of blood to aid their recovery. The healthy provide for the unhealthy and lives are saved through donations. The blood supply needs to be replenished and it relies on the volunteers who sign up to do it. Since 9-11, I’ve given blood fairly regularly with breaks in my donations from time to time. Not long after my father was hospitalized this spring and required a unit of blood, I donated again in thanks to the donor who saved his life. He made a near-full recovery because someone made their blood available when the medical professionals called on it. Perhaps you can think of a time a loved one was hospitalized and you too want to complete the blood-in and blood-out circuit. The blood you donate can be used for up to 3 patients and if you consider that 1 million people will be diagnosed with cancer each year for the first time, most will require blood transfusions.
The Healthy Choice
The “why” for giving blood varies with donors as much as blood types do. Some will see their donation as a means to assist others in an emergency and some will look at it as an opportunity to help him/herself. Look online or speak to medical professionals about the benefits of giving blood and you’ll find plenty of evidence to support the claim it is actually good for the donor. To start off with, prior to giving blood, you are given a free health screening where your iron will be checked along with your blood pressure and your temperature. The unhealthy are not allowed to donate. Additionally, the act of removing blood from your body can be viewed as a chance for your body to remove harmful levels of iron. Studies have shown this can decrease your chances of a heart attack and some studies have suggested there is a link between donating blood and decreased chances of cancer. From the physical realm to that of the mind, some believe there is a positive mental benefit to volunteering. You do good and it makes you feel good.
Community
You’ve either given blood, or you haven’t. When you give blood, you participate in a community that is worldwide. At previous blood drives, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to some incredible individuals who have reached milestones of 50, 100, and more units of blood. You may discover you are a universal donor like I am as someone with O+ blood. You may even want to donate the power red or “double red” next time when you are hooked up to give 2 units of red blood cells with your fluids, plasma, and platelets returned to you. When you donate blood, you strike up conversations with others about their reason and share yours. I’ve never met anyone at a blood drive who I would say was not on the same page as me. The workers at the blood drive are always helpful and from those who check you in, to those who screen you, to the phlebotomists (the ones who draw your blood), and the volunteers who escort you to the snacks and water, you find genuinely good people who embody what is right with this country. Blood drives are held all around the country in schools, churches, businesses, and with mobile blood donation units. You’ll find great people at each of these places. Keep in mind, there is approximately 38% of the U.S. population can donate blood but only approximateluy 2% do.
Preparedness
We weren’t prepared on 9-11 for the devastation we witnessed. We learned what the holes were in our preparedness. That day changed life for so many and the prepared now carry medical gear, flashlights, and better communication gear. I look back on that day and wonder if more lives could have been saved if more blood was available before the planes hit the towers and crashed into the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. After all, we were all put well behind the power curve and our response was directly in line with our preparedness. When you donate blood, you do your part to contribute to the overall preparedness of this nation and your community. Each day, approximately 38,000 blood donations are needed across the country. It is fitting Fieldcraft Survival is hosting a blood drive at our headquarters in Heber City, UT on the 27th of October. We have a massive mural on our HQ wall with “We the Prepared” and when the “blood bus” shows up, we’ll gather for a common goal of improving the preparedness of the blood supply. As a thanks, we are going to provide swag and discounts to those who sign up and bleed with us. When we gather at Fieldcraft Survival, we have some epic experiences. Knowing your attendance and participation can save a life puts donating blood on the top of that list. We hope to see you there.
To schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and search “84032” as the area code. You’ll see the drive listed and any remaining spots you can choose from.