Why I Donate Blood....NO I dont get Paid =)
By princeworthy
@princeworthy (1909)
United States
July 13, 2007 3:05am CST
Where I lice people do not get paid to donate blood, if you are lucky enough to donate on a special event day you MIGHT get a t-shirt. I like to help out with donating blood as often as I can. When I know it is time for me to donate again I get and nagging feeling that doesn't go away until I donate. I keep my eyes peeled for the donation bus because this is my favorite way to donate for some reason. I have been big on blood donation since my Grandfather was ill and needed blood, it was then that I found out we had the same blood type. I was not allowed to donate for him because it would have taken too long to process the blood. I like to think that in a small way I am honoring him everytime I give blood.
Here are some other reasons to donate blood (sent to me in my thank you email from United Blood Services)
There is no substitute for human blood and we are able to separate blood into different components, so your donation could help several patients!
The components and their usage include
Red Blood Cells: anemia
Platelets: leukemia, cancer
Plasma: blood clotting disorders
Cryoprecipitate: hemophilia
Just think of all the people you can help! It only takes about 20-30 minutes of your time, so think about it.....
4 people like this
10 responses
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
I would love to be able to give blood but I just can't handle having needles, I would either faint or be sick, as soon as I see a needle I am a goner, you should be very proud of yourself, it must be a nice feeling knowing you are saving lives...
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
13 Jul 07
It is a nice feeling knowing that you are helping to save lives and it doesn't cost you anything but some time and blood. I hate the needles too (funny since I am going to be a nurse) what I do is just look out the window of the bus until they get the needle in and then I don't mind seeing it.
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
13 Jul 07
That's a very great thing to do.
I have never done it but I almost did after 9/11 but it was taking too long and I had to leave after waiting for several hours.
I just have never went and did it. No real reason why or why not. But it's something I'll look into :)
2 people like this
@tholitz (1127)
• Philippines
17 Jul 07
I salute you for your great endeavor of donating blood to help other people, thinking that you are doing it for free (here in my country donating blood became some sort of money making for some people). Though I haven't been through with this, I'm also thinking of maybe give it some try in the near future. You will not only help other people but will also be good to our health. Thank you very much for your touching information.
1 person likes this
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
14 Jul 07
I donate blood regularly too, and we don't get paid here. If you donate plasma you can get paid, but my veins are too little so I don't qualify =) I remember going with my mom all the time when I was growing up, it was just something she did, and so now I do it all the time! It makes me feel good because our local blood bank just started calling people when they use their blood. It is really cool to know you are helping someone else! My daughter is 6 and I am trying to get her to go with me so she can see what it is, and that it isn't a big deal, and your are helping save people =) But she is kinda scared so I just keep telling her to let me know when she wants to go with me. We always get a t-shirt here, and in June they give out pints of ice cream (a pint of blood for a pint of ice cream). And last winter they had insulated coffee mugs, which was my favorite thing =)
1 person likes this
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
14 Jul 07
That is neat that they always give you something. I didn't get anything the very first time I donated but I was motivated to donate anyway. I think the feeling of helping save lives is gift enough but the little extra thank yous are nice too. The United Blood Services has a Blood Heros program on the internet if you donate 3 times in a year you get a special gift. I have two donations in this year so far, one more and we will see what it is =)
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I would love to donate blood but I don't think they should sell what they harvested from me for free. It is an unethical practice. I want to donate it to help others but not to make someone rich. It is sad the US is so greedy.
1 person likes this
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I agree that they do charge too much for it but I understand why they do charge. It takes alot of money to harvest, clean and store the blood. The techs that take your blood don't work for free either in most cases.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
13 Jul 07
When I donated 20 years ago they tech who drew my blood were retired phlebotomists who were working for free.
I was actually afraid to let someone 80 years old stick that big needle in my arm with those shakey hands. LOL Believe it or not they were all volunteers.
I also think they separate the plasma and sell the bulk. Once again I am not donating to make money for someone else. It is meant to help.
My hair was a fist from my belt and I cut it off last month for hairpieces for ill children. They don't have to pay. But the company DOES sell some of the hair. They admit to it and explain what and how it works. They separate all of the hairs. Any grays get sold. The ones that are too short are sold for doll hair and eyelashes.
The difference is that they were up front about it. When someone or a business is not up front then they are making money off of you because they know you will not do it.
I think another reason why it costs so much is because of malpractice insurance. But my free blood shouldn't pay for that.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
14 Jul 07
My husband is an avid blood donor, and always has been. He started in again after he moved here, and we got married. His sister helps organize and run Red Cross blood drives where she lives. Over the last year we have found that we are either working, or going out of town on the days of the blood drives. We have now started going to the Main Office, in another town, as we go through that town to go visit my family. We have given blood there twice now. I like the feeling. My son has even gone in for the two hour plasmapharesis on an occasion or two. I am proud of him for doing so.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
14 Jul 07
I think it's awesome that you donate blood even though you aren't getting paid for it. I think it's a wonderful way in which you can help others, and I'm glad you shared about your grandfather. =)
Unfortunately I can't donate blood myself because of my own health, but I have had to receive blood in the past, and have been forever grateful to lovely folks like yourself and whatever stranger out there saved my life. =)
1 person likes this
@wildgeese177 (30)
• United States
14 Jul 07
I've given more than 10 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross without pay.
I only stopped because I travelled to an area in Mexico they told me was malaria infected...and that I couldn't donate again for years.
It's a great thing, and helps a lot of other people.
