No matter where you live, you’ve probably seen blood mobiles around town at one point or another. Not too long ago I myself saw one and thought I’d try donating.
I’d always wanted to give blood, but I’m deathly afraid of needles. A friend of mine entered a contest with a group to try to get as many pints of blood donated as possible in a week. He competed with several other groups in a school spirit contest and the blood donations got them points for spirit. So, he called me and asked me to donate. Reluctantly, I agreed.
First, I went to the blood mobile at University of South Florida and told the gal at the computer inside I wanted to donate. She could tell right away I was nervous and asked if I’d ever given blood before. I said no and she handed me a clipboard to fill out some information and a page filled with warnings about giving blood.
Next, another gal called my name and pulled me into a little room smaller than an airplane lavatory to ask me some intimate questions. How many partners have I had sex with? Do I have AIDS? Do I do drugs and/or share needles? The questions went on and on. I answered them all and received the go ahead to donate my blood.
She looked at my arms and found that my right arm had the best vein to give from but I insisted on them using my left arm. I had class at four p.m. and couldn’t risk not being able to take notes. This was a mistake I would kick myself the next seven days for.
I was placed in a very comfortable chair and I began to freak out about donating. Thoughts kept running through my head about the needle. I cared more about the needle than anything else. Then, once it was in me it had to be moved several times because the blood wasn’t flowing properly.
If I had allowed them to use my right arm it would have been one poke, one draw, and then I could have left. Instead, the needle was moved three times and almost my entire arm bruised up. I also had mental issues about the needle even more because it kept being re-inserted.
The worst part is somewhere during the needle being moved I saw the bag my blood was being collected into and became nauseous. I came close to passing out and the friendly gals had to use a cold pack on me and lift my feet. They thought I was going to “be sick” so they grabbed a trash can just in case. The whole experience of nearly passing out was embarrassing.
I probably would have been fine if I’d just calmed down, not worked myself up and if I’d let them use the arm they wanted to. Because of my experience I offer these tips:
Don’t do it if you’re too anxious. If you work yourself up too much, mentally you won’t be able to handle the donation. Don’t watch as they put in the needle and don’t look at the bag as they’re collecting the blood.
If you are thinking about giving blood, make sure you have some sugar in your system and keep drinking fluids during and after the donation. Most importantly, listen! If they tell you which arm they want to draw blood from trust them.
It’s very important to note that I’m not against giving blood. It’s one of the things in life that is necessary for people to do for the sake of saving the lives of those in need. This article is meant merely to help people get a clear idea of what not to do and what to do.
