It was the first, and most likely the last, time that I would watch Olympic weightlifting. Reclining on a folding, aluminum stretcher that reminded me of the lounge chairs found poolside at a cheap motel, I tried to keep my eyes on the television screen and off of the tube sticking out of my arm. The effort was futile. Despite the curious spectacle of bulky men in spandex lifting heavy barbells while yelling in Greek or Chinese, I remained fixated on the steady stream of thick, red-black liquid oozing out of my right arm.
I blamed the ache from the needle on the carelessness of the nurse who had been more interested in flirting with me than actually sparing me any pain. Still, the sensation was more uncomfortable than agonizing-nothing that I couldn’t handle. I smiled at the nurses and tried to focus on the TV.
Thirty seconds later I awoke on my back with my arms above my head. The nurses swarmed me, offering orange juice and ordering me not to close my eyes. One nurse laughed when a colleague remarked that I had turned green. Though woozy and disoriented, I was far from surprised. This time was not the first that I had passed out while donating blood.
After a half-hour of juice, cookies and more Olympic weightlifting, they finally allowed me to leave the blood bank. Although I was technically “recovered,” I felt faint whenever I stood up or turned my head sharply.
On Oct 18, I can donate blood again. I have no reason to believe that I won’t pass out again, but I’m going to do it anyway. I know that blood donation is the simplest and most effective contribution that I can make toward saving other people’s lives. One woozy day every eight weeks is a small price to pay to help someone survive surgery or a car accident.
The need for blood donations is staggering. According to the “All About Blood” web site run by the Red Cross, 38,000 units of red blood cells are needed daily in the United States alone. Burns, accidents, cancer, sickle cell anemia, heart surgery and organ transplants are only some of the medical conditions that frequently require blood transfusions as part of the treatment process.
Blood donation is free and simple. If you are 17 years old and meet a minimum of physical health requirements, you can donate blood. Blood banks, staffed by experienced medical professionals, can be found at hospitals and independent locations all over the United States. Mobile blood drives also travel to schools, workplaces, community centers and religious institutions on a regular basis. At Georgetown, the Blood Drive Club organizes frequent blood drives in Bulldog Alley. What is most rewarding is that your blood will actually be used to save someone’s life.
Despite the importance and simplicity, I am shocked by how few people donate their blood. “All About Blood” writes that less than five percent of eligible donors in the United States donate blood each year. The result is a perpetual shortage in the blood supply, making it difficult for medical professionals to provide their patients with an optimal level of care. In spite of the efforts of the Red Cross and similar organizations to make blood donation an easy and painless process, the lack of donors is a perennial medical dilemma in this country.
Some potential donors may refrain from giving blood due to concerns about contracting a disease or a fear of needles. As for the first concern, it is impossible to get a disease from a sterile needle, and that is the only kind of needle that you will ever come into contact with at a blood bank. The second concern is slightly trickier. Although I am personally not afraid of needles, I sympathize with those who are. I imagine that some people feel the same way about needles as I do about cockroaches. However, people who are afraid of needles should know that the period of contact with a needle during blood donation is only somewhat longer than that of a standard blood test. If you can make it through a physician’s appointment without permanent emotional scarring, chances are you can make it through a blood donation as well.
In my opinion the primary cause of the blood shortage is complacency rather than fear. Most people either don’t know how valuable blood donations are, or assume that it is someone else’s responsibility. It’s impossible to know if and when any one of us might need a blood transfusion. Wouldn’t it be comforting to know that there was an abundant supply of blood waiting for you should you ever need it? While one person’s donation cannot alleviate a national blood shortage, the donations of many people can. All it takes is an hour of your time every 56 days. Besides, what college student would refuse free cookies?
