Last Wednesday, I went to give blood again. And in true blogger fashion, I just almost wrote blog instead of blood. Right …
I have been giving blood more or less regularly since I turned 18. There was a long gap for a few years after I started college when I did not or hardly ever gave blood (only three times in a span of six years), because I was set on only giving blood in my hometown and because I was abroad for two years. Only in late 2008 did I decide that I should give the blood donation center here a try, especially as I was now living so closely to it (it’s at the other end of the campus I live on). Since then, I have been going regularly again, and have given blood six times over the past 1.5 years. I figure it is a simple way of giving back to society. Blood is so important, and it saves lives – yet so many people don’t give blood, at the same time they expect that if they needed a blood transfusion, they would get it. Over the time I have asked almost all of my friends if they want to come along with me sometime, and unless they have an actual excuse (being under the weight minimum for example), they tend to make one up. In all probability, they are just scared, but I do assure them that it’s not bad at all and doesn’t hurt. Yet, not a single friend of mine here has come along with me to give blood. Not a single one. So if you are healthy and are eligible, please consider giving blood when you get a chance. Many cities have blood donation centers and universities and other organizations do blood drives. So many people need blood transfusions every day and they rely on volunteers like you and me to give blood. For more information, you can read up on giving blood here (in English) and here (in German).
Another way in which you can give back is to sign up as a potential bone marrow donor. I did this several years ago. I have yet to actually give bone marrow as it is very hard to find a match for patients in need of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, but if they ever contact me telling me I am a match for one, I have no doubt in my mind that I will do it, knowing that my stem cells are likely the patient’s only chance of survival. So many people around the world have leukemia and are in need of a stem cell transplant, and unlike with blood, it is very hard to find a match. I also want to note, as it seems to be a common misconception, that your bone marrow has nothing to do with your spinal marrow. Bone marrow is extracted from your hip bone and is not dangerous (except for the usual risks associated with general anesthesia), and nowadays, the way the donation usually works is extracting stem cells from your blood (similarly to giving blood, except that the rest of your blood is returned into your body after the stem cells have been extracted). If you are interested in signing up as a donor, you can read up on it here (in English) and here (in German).
And last but not least, if you do not carry an organ donor ID with you (or have specified on your driver’s license if you are one), consider doing it. Nobody likes to think about their own death, but let’s face it, we are all going to die sooner or later. And many people die young and unexpectedly. No one can promise you that you will live to be 100 (though I personally do hope we will all still be alive and blogging when we are 100, then in the 100something Bloggers network). Organ donation is another way of giving to others when you no longer need your organs yourself. Even if you are opposed to your organs being used to save other patients’ lives after your death, consider keeping an organ donation ID with you that specifies that you do not want to be an organ donor. That way you can make sure that your relatives and doctors will respect your wishes, and more importantly, know them. While the idea of my body being harvested for all viable organs is certainly not an appealing one, I figure that I will be dead and my body would rot away anyway (sorry to be so graphic but you know it’s true), and I know I will certainly not need my organs anymore (nor will I know if I am buried with them or without them). Others, however, may need them, and if my organs can help others live a few more years or decades after my death, you know, I think that would actually be beautiful. So, regardless of your opinion regarding organ donation, please read up on it and consider carrying an ID with you that states whether or not you are an organ donor. You can read more about this topic here (in English) and here (in German).
So tell me, have you given blood before? If you haven’t, I hope that maybe my post will inspire some of you to give it a try. Donating money to charitable causes is great, but keep in mind that there are other ways to give that are just as important.
I just started giving blood here in Australia last year. I had always wanted to do so when in Italy, but procrastination took over.
I went in August last year, and I have to admit I was quite nervous… Especially when I saw the size of the needle! But the nurses were impressive, I had no mark or bruise, so much better than some nurses back home that took blood for blood tests.
All in all, it’s nothing major… But such a little thing can do so much!
.-= Stefania’s last blog post: 31/12/2009 =-.
Haha yes, the needles are quite big in comparison to needles usually used for injections or drawing blood. They actually leave little puncture scars on my arm (I have quite a collection of them by now but they’re barely noticeable). I never get bruises either, though.
And you said it perfectly, it is a small thing which can make a big difference.
I think it’s great that you are giving blood. I have never given blood because of my iron deficiency. Even iron supplements don’t seem to help. Well, they do sort of but I am still not allowed to give blood.
I am an organ donor though. I have the little organ donor symbol on my US driver’s license and my military ID. :)
.-= Stefanie’s last blog post: And now I am a graduate student. =-.
Oh definitely, if you have an iron deficiency you cannot give blood. And besides, as a German who has lived in Germany during the 80s and 90s you are not allowed to give blood in the States anyway, right? Unless they changed that. I know I wasn’t allowed to give blood in the States (I tried).
Oh, I didn’t know about this… why aren’t we allowed to give blood in the States?
.-= san’s last blog post: What’s going on in February =-.
Because of Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-alphabetical-listing#arc5
“You spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 5 years or more from January 1, 1980, to present, in any combination of country(ies) in Europe.”
Ironically, people who have lived in the UK for a certain period of time in the 1980s & 90s are not allowed to give blood in Germany, even though we ourselves are apparently just as much a risk according to the US guidelines.
Thanks! I had no idea about this.
.-= san’s last blog post: What’s going on in February =-.
I think they’ve lightened up the rules here in the States now. I used to be ineligible because I was in Spain for more than 90 days in 2001, but now I’m apparently allowed… but I’m not positive because I’m too scared. I’m an organ donor, but I my needle phobia prevents me from giving blood. I do feel bad about it. I tell myself that if I or anyone in my family ever get a transfusion, I’ll force myself to pay it back by donating blood. Messed up, I know. SO scared of needles.
.-= Operation Pink Herring’s last blog post: Oh, give me a home =-.
I must admit I don’t know what it’s like to be scared of needles because I don’t mind them (really, I find them kind of interesting). But I can understand why someone would not want to give blood if they are scared of needles. (By the way, a needle phobia was not what I was referring to when I said my friends must be scared. I don’t think they’re all scared of needles or something as tangible as needles but simply doing something that they don’t know.)
I just recently registered for stem cell donation. However I’ve never donated blood. This is mainly for the reason that they wouldn’t let me for a long time, because I didn’t weigh enough. But I’m considering doing it this year…
I really like what you said about giving back to society this way, it seems so true!
.-= Deia’s last blog post: Sherlock Holmes – the movie =-.
I wish I had that problem (not weighing enough). ;) If you want to give blood, make sure you eat well before you do, and hydrate well before & after giving blood. You body does have to get accustomed to the loss of fluid (it replaces the fluids within a few hours, though) but some people feel dizzy, some even pass out from the drop in their blood pressure.
I was anemic a few years back and therefore I am not really considered as a blood donor (in fact, I received blood during my last anemic phase and to be honest, it was something I had never expected to happen). I wish I could give some blood back, but they won’t let me.
.-= san’s last blog post: What’s going on in February =-.
Oh definitely not, if you have anemia that is that serious. How low was your Hb value for you to need a transfusion? That sounds really bad.
Unfortunately I don’t remember the HB value, but yes, it was pretty low. My doctor was very surprised that I didn’t have any symptoms before… I only went to the doctor when I felt exceptionally tired and was short of breath ALL THE TIME (which was very unsual, because I was doing sports regulary. I only had 50% of blood left in my body and spent three days at the hospital.
.-= san’s last blog post: What’s going on in February =-.
now, i’m inspired to go give blood!
Yay! That’s great!
I think it’s wonderful you give blood. I wish I could – but I live in Canada, and I came from England, and apparently anyone who lived in the UK during the “mad cow” phase is never allowed to give blood here. Ever. :(
I do carry an organ donor card, though – and YES! 100-something bloggers FTW! :)
.-= Emily Jane’s last blog post: In limbo, and slightly scared =-.
Thanks for your comment, Emily. You Brits are not alone. The same goes for Germans due to vCJD. It’s a shame really, I don’t really think the risk is that big, after all how many cases have we actually had in Europe, plus if you get a blood transfusion here, it is of course ok for it to be from a German. (But people who lived in the UK aren’t allowed to give blood here either.)