I am sharing a column written by my daughter, Diana, back in September, 2001 about donating blood. She titled it:” My Experience As A Blood Donor”

My mom Raye Marie is the regular author of a blood column, but I want to take her place today and tell you about my first experience as a blood donor. I am a little embarrassed by the fact that although my mom has been an enthusiastic donor for as far back as I can remember, I have never given blood. I always figured there were plenty of people donating, so what difference would my little bit of blood make?

Tuesday, Sept. 11, changed my life and my attitude. I felt so helpless and angry and felt I had no control over what was happening. When they said giving blood could help, I put aside my nervousness and squeamishness and went to my local blood bank.

It was so weird because I read my mom’s weekly column just like you do and it always went in one ear and out the other. I thought giving blood was someone else’s responsibility. I grew up on that Tuesday. Sitting there waiting for my turn, I was filled with admiration and respect for all the people who had blood donor cards, who said of course they always give blood and their names were on the wall as regular donors.

I’m here to tell those of you who haven’t ever given blood that it’s not so bad! They get your basic information, name, address and so forth. Then they ask you a series of questions like have you been out of the country, ever had malaria, mad cow disease and lots of questions that made me laugh, but it is to screen that your blood is safe to donate. Then they prick your finger with this neat little stick thing (ed: not today) that doesn’t hurt. She squeezed a few drops of blood and put them in little thin tubes. She dropped one in a liquid and she said would tell me if I had enough iron. If the drop sinks, you’re good to go.

Then you sit in a very comfortable recliner and the nurse decides which arm has a better vein. I wasn’t very happy when she said “uh-oh” and I almost left right then! Uh-oh meant I had thin veins and they wanted to make sure my vein would hold up to giving a pint of blood. They wouldn’t have let me proceed if it wouldn’t have been OK. At every step of the way, I felt like they were watching out for me. She then wrapped something around my upper arm and had me squeeze a soft grip and then inserted a needle, attached to a bag, into my arm.

I swear, I didn’t even feel it! I have to admit I didn’t look at the bag as it was filling though. After a very short time, they removed the needle and wrapped a bandage around my arm and said I was done. They had juice and cookies after, for free. Because of the number of people there, Publix had even brought over subs, but I didn’t feel I needed that much food. I didn’t feel lightheaded or funny and was able to leave right away.

I did feel a little woozy a bit later at work, but I ate my lunch and then felt OK physically. Mentally I felt like superwoman! I felt like I helped somebody that day and nothing can compare to that. I fully intend to become a regular blood donor from now on and believe me, if I can do it, you can too. A little bit of time, free food and a feeling of accomplishment; what could be better than that!?

Thanks, Mom,
Diana