It's In You To Give

So, today I gave blood for the first time ever.

I'm 35.

One of the reasons I have never done so before... although I am embarrassed to admit this....is because I am a big baby when it comes to blood. I am getting better as I get older, but when I see blood pumping through a tube, or the bag attached to that teeter-totter thing....I'm toast. I have no idea where this issue comes from either. My whole family isn't like me. When an operation is shown on T.V, I have to look away. When I watch a movie that is graphic, I look away. Silly, I know.

Bob Beneteau, my friend's father, was asked what he wanted for his birthday this past Monday. His answer was that he wanted everyone that is close to him to donate blood. I spent most of my teenager years and my twenties at his house, so this pertained to me. He has received several bags of blood over the last couple of years, as he has had complications with the rare form of cancer that he has been fighting. He wants to give back. How could I say no to something like that? There were 4 of us donating today, with another 5-6 people donating at different locations in his honour. He was there supporting us today - and became emotional when he started to tell a stranger the story as to why we were all donating together. He was quick to say that this birthday present is one of the best ones that he has received to date.

It turns out that I was a little dehydrated and needed to replenish my fluids before they allowed me to donate. I sat at the goody table and drank some water. I met a woman that was excited to have received her donation pin to signify her 75th donation. 75! I was dumbfounded. She donates every 56 days, religiously. She told me that her father and her used to donate together a few times a year until he died. She has continued the tradition in his absence. She was genuinely excited for me to donate this first time.

As I was on the donation bed, I made conversation with the nurse to take my mind off things. She told a story of a man that comes in every 2 months to donate at that same location. She mentioned that he is so uncomfortable with the process that he is in a "zone" and stares ahead......you can't make conversation with him because he just wants the whole thing to end.

This same man has donated over 300 times.

My sister has had one or two blood transfusions with complications with her first birth...my father was in and out of hospitals for 15 yrs and must have been given several bags of blood as well. It's such a simple thing to give. I would have lost my Dad decades earlier than I did, and I would have lost Laurelle 3 years ago if people weren't as generous with their donations.

I'm disappointed in myself for not having done this earlier, but it's better late than never.....

Is it in YOU to give?

Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

Here is the link if you want to help.