Happy Monday!!
I had always been interested in donating blood. My grandpa has been donating since he served in the Air Force. He's at like over 100 gallons - no joke. He has all these awards and gifts all over his house, recognition of his selflessness.
My first donation was through a blood drive at my church in 2002. I donated whole blood sporadically for a little while, when I wanted more information about platelet donation. Knowing I could donate more often to help more people seemed kinda cool. Plus, I knew I'd get to sit in the special room and watch a movie. Haha. During my whole blood donation, they took a couple extra tiny vials of blood to test to see if I would be a candidate for platelet donation.
My blood type is A+, so I ended up being a good choice. Here in California, I donate at a place called BloodSource. I can donate every two weeks, but I usually have to wait 3 or 4 so I can keep my iron levels high enough so I don't get deferred.
It wasn't until I moved to Arizona and began donating with United Blood Services that I found out about my 'special blood'. I am CMV negative. The interviewer casually mentioned to me that my blood lacked a certain component so it goes to help babies first. I was shocked. What's so special about me? And why didn't I get this component while I was growing up? And and and? Here is a link to explain it better:
blog.inceptsaves.com/blog/2011/05/04/what-does-it-mean-to-have-cmv-negative-blood/
It shouldn't have made a difference. A life saved is a life saved, you know? I will never know these people who get my donation. But I just pictured how frazzled and upset and heartbroken some newborn's parents would feel trying to find out what is wrong with their child, hoping that a blood transfusion would be the answer, praying their baby would come home soon to lead a long and happy life. And then I think, 'Wow. I am a part of that.' And that's insane. And it gets me teary eyed as I'm typing this.
For those of you who have never donated, but want to know what is involved in this process, I want to give you a rundown of the process. This is my average experience as a platelet donor:
When you show up for your appointment, they take you to a private room. You show them your photo identification and your interview process begins. They take your blood pressure, temperature, make sure your pulse is steady. They prick your finger to get just enough blood to test your iron level. You are then either given an oral or written questionnaire to answer. Questions are asked about your current health, if you have taken certain medications within a certain time frame, your sexual history, your contact with the blood of others, your out of country travel. You sign the form. If your iron levels are high enough, they take you out to the donor area.
You hop up on the chair. They ask you to verify your name and birthdate, just so they know they have the right paperwork. They ask which arm you'd prefer to use, they check your inner arms for the best vein to use. They scrub the area clean while you're choosing your movie to watch.
When they are ready to begin the withdrawal process, they ask you to squeeze a stress ball a few times and hold the final squeeze so your vein is visible. I always look away for this part. They insert the needle into the vein. It feels like someone is pinching the area with their fingers. It literally lasts all of half a second. The needle gets taped in place while they take a couple vials for testing before your blood is distributed to a hospital. They ask if you're feeling okay, if the needle feels okay. They'll ask if you need a blanket (they keep the room cold) or if you want the heating pad on. They ask if you need Tums (sometimes your lips may tingle - mine don't, but it is a normal reaction that many donors get).
There are usually a few nurses in the room at all times and they check on you often to make sure you're okay. They're always close by in case you need something or have a reaction.
The process for a one arm donation is that during your donation (mine lasts between 90-110 minutes), 10 pints of blood are taken and 9 pints are given back to you, so you're donating 1 pint of platelets. You have 'draws' where the blood is taken, and 'returns' where everything but platelets are given back to you. It's a back and forth process. When you get your first return, you may feeling a slight coolness at the needle site. This is the anticoagulant entering your system, and it helps prevent the clotting of your blood during the process.
So you chill and watch your movie, or listen to your iPod or listen to the people around you telling their stories (for me, the crowd is generally older folks with war stories and they comment on the 'young kid' in the room, lol) You keep the stress ball the entire donation and squeeze it occasionally to keep your blood flowing.
When the donation is complete, they take your stress ball so you don't squeeze anymore. They remove the needle and you hold your arm straight up in the air, covering the needle site with gauze to stop the bleeding. It's good for stretching too, because your arm feels like a big lump of lazy at this point. After a minute, they bring your arm down, cover the area with a new piece of gauze and bandage you up.
They give you post-donation instructions like: keep the bandage on for 4-6 hours, no marathons, no saunas, eat a hearty meal soon, yada yada. If you get sick or contract West Nile, call the 800 number on your receipt. And they have you sit in the refreshment area for 15 minutes - have cookies, crackers, cheese, juice, soda, water. Whatever you want.
If you're feeling good, you're good to go.
While I was in Arizona, I donated over 2 gallons. In California, at my first donation since I moved back, they told me I hit the 15 gallon mark. FIFTEEN GALLONS!! Again, insane!! They say each donation can save 3 lives. 1 pint = 3 lives. 8 pints = 1 gallon. If you combine my states. 136 pints X 3 lives per pint = 408 possible lives saved.
So yeah, I'm not a fan of needles. I have no tattoos. But it's a no brainer, my 'sacrifice' isn't a sacrifice. It's a gift. A gift I gladly give. I'm scheduling my next appointment after I post this blog entry.
I'm not a hero. I'm not special. I'm just doing what I think is right. I'm simply helping those parents bring their precious child home.
If you're interested in blood donation and are healthy enough to do so, please get informed.
www.bloodsource.org
www.unitedbloodservices.org/
www.redcross.org/donate/give/
Be the change you want to see in this world.
