Pinch Hitters Needed
I was religious about it. I rarely missed it. I went as often as was allowed. Now I know why…
I began donating blood about fifteen years ago. I was addicted as soon as they marked ‘PEDS’ on my donation bag. Just knowing that my blood was going to pediatrics made it worth the multiple needle pricks, the stale cookies, and the light-headiness. But never in those fifteen years did I think that I would actually need blood myself.
I’ve had a few platelet transfusions, but it never really occurred to me that the platelets came from someone else. There was something about seeing the blood flowing IN instead of OUT that got me thinking about donations and I actually started to feel a bit guilty. Not only have I stopped donating, but now I’m depleting from the blood bank’s inventory. Since I’m not able to donate anymore, I thought I would try to get a few people to take my place, pinch hit for me. I need two people to donate to at least break even, but it would be great if we could do more than just break even. So, here’s my argument for why you should consider donating blood on a regular basis.
Giving blood is such a simple process, but there are so many excuses for not donating.
I’m petrified of needles.
Who isn’t?
I get light-headed and dizzy.
Nice manicure.
Think about a loved one, friend or family member, and imagine that this person needs blood, desperately. Would you overcome your fear, deal with your dizziness, or rearrange your schedule to help this person? Of course. Is the reason that’s holding you back more important than this loved one? Probably not.
Read a few stories about actual people who needed and received blood transfusions. The infusion room was full of people of all ages and ethnicities, all receiving blood. Their stories are all different, but they all have one thing in common. They’re all a loved one to someone.
March 10th, 2008 saat: 5:50 pm
So I’ve been organizing a drive in my office that looks set to happen in early May. I can’t give because of restrictions on blood from people who lived in Europe between certain years, and was really frustrated about that until I realized there was still something I could do.
Sometimes we each have to wait until we hear a call to arms that resonates. Your thoughtful posts have helped me in that regard.
Thank you.
March 10th, 2008 saat: 9:12 pm
Beautiful. You write with such simple eloquence.
Hope you’re doing okay — know that you continue to be an inspiration to multitudes, and that you’re in my prayers.
March 11th, 2008 saat: 8:14 am
Thanks for the reminder. I’ve fallen off my regular routine of donating this winter with everyone in my house being sick on and off. I will get in there this week and give my pint!
March 12th, 2008 saat: 6:23 am
I wish I could, Kate. I donated platelets for years, and would have been more than happy to do that once a month pretty much indefinitely - but I’m borderline anemic, and they won’t take my blood *or* my platelets. I can understand the whole blood - but it seems to me that donating platelets would not whack my red count. But the answer was No so many times that I finally gave up.
I hope your note does persuade some folks to contact the Red Cross!!!
Good to hear a little more energy in your writing - hope that you’re feeling a bit more steady these days - -
Dorothy
March 12th, 2008 saat: 9:12 am
They won’t take mine either, it’s frustrating because I want to give.
I needed to units of blood while I was in the hospital after surgery, I should send my husband in make up for the 2 I used too.
March 12th, 2008 saat: 9:57 am
Kate, Again a great blog. I too was a regular donor for 20 years, It was easy for me as it was right at my workplace and my employers encouraged it. As being a patient of PC I too miss the satisfaction of giving to the blood bank. Your ideal is so simple and great and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. My husband never gave because “Don’t like needles” I think he thought because I gave blood, that left him off the hook. I will convince him to give now along with my two adult daughters. Thanks Kate.
Janice
March 12th, 2008 saat: 1:33 pm
Hi Kate… very insightful blog. I’ll donate as soon as I can.
March 13th, 2008 saat: 8:08 pm
Another one here whose blood is not quite up to par. But I can encourage others to give by spreading the word on Twitter and in person. I have a couple of friends who have gotten to the ten-gallon mark on donations. It’s such an easy way to save a life.
March 14th, 2008 saat: 8:09 am
Hi Kate,
Another great and very important blog. I was a steady platelet donor for many years and in addition to helping other people it may have helped save my life. This past June when I was donating whole blood an obnormality in my blood was noticed. Because I had been a steady donor for so long we were able to narrow the time frame down significantly and tailor my treatment accordingly. Unfortunatly I can no longer donate to others but it just goes to show that giving has many rewards. One person had a good idea about helping start a drive. Maybe I can try that route as well. I am sending strong platelets and rich blood thoughts your way. You are strong, You are beautiful, You have a great hat collection…….
Jason
March 14th, 2008 saat: 12:33 pm
Great post, Kate…And thanks to you, I feel better about myself, I have something fun to do every third Sunday, and I am now completely up-to-speed on my movie viewing! I’ve gotten over my anger at the injustice of platelet levels and am doing something about it. And you know I am the biggest weenie when it comes to needles and sitting still. And with the Red Cross Heroes for Life program, it’s even more fun - just got a thank-you Starbucks card last month, gas card this month, and the sense that I am helping my friend and others in a very small but important way…plus it helps me feel less guilty knowing that my platelet level is 400+ while others struggle to get over 25. So think of me on Sunday as I get to watch a great movie, relax in a heated reclining chair, and go for another “triple” at the donor center. And then we can get pedicures this weekend, any old time, right?!! You are amazing and inspirational, woman!
Kelly
March 14th, 2008 saat: 1:07 pm
Kate,
You are really amazing and inspirational! In addition to being thankful, you don’t focus on yourself and your trials and tribulations. You are connected to everyone else in your situation. I have two words to describe you - woman warrior.
I’d like to share another perspective on receiving blood and platelets: it’s your good karma for donating religiously all those years.
I used to donate regularly as well - I’m O negative - but the last few times I tried to donate, my blood was rejected.
March 17th, 2008 saat: 5:51 pm
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Kate. My thoughts and prayers are with you often.
March 19th, 2008 saat: 7:53 am
Hi Kate. I too was a regular donor for years until diagnosed with cervical cancer. I have tried to go back since having a couple clear pap tests only to get turned down. Each time during the screening process I am hopeful that maybe they will take it this time– Isn’t there any way they can put by blood in a centrifuge machine and take out al the bad cells?? (That would be nice wouldn’t it.) I remain hopeful that one day I can again give blood because I think it is so important. And, I am always touched by your writing. You are amazing–and to think of others at a time when you too are receiving blood–speaks volumes about you as a person. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Take Care.
March 20th, 2008 saat: 3:46 am
OK
I emailed the forces (my little network of healthy buds) explained the plight and that they should get their butts down to the local blood bank and do something important, gratifying. I told them how good they will feel (once they recover from the needles and dizzy spell - oh, I forgot to mention that I think.) about this. A good deed indeed.
I think two of them will go - and in my little group, 2 is a good percentage.
Love
Kiki
Pancreatic Cancer Survivor 3 years!
Support Panceatic Research
March 22nd, 2008 saat: 8:28 am
I just donated yesterday! I hadn’t donated in 18 months because I was anemic. They called Wednesday night to see if I’d like to donate and I thought I’d try again. I was able to donate! I guess their new testing system is more ‘forgiving’ as the tech said. My numbers were good. So, I encourage those that hadn’t in a while because of being anemic to try again. They test your level right away so you won’t be out too much time if you aren’t able to donate.
My high school son has donated twice! I’m so glad his school has this available and he’s getting into the donation habit young. Also, he may think twice about getting a body piercing or a tattoo if that means he can’t donate for awhile.
March 28th, 2008 saat: 1:13 pm
Whoops! Thanks for the reminder, Kate. Awesome.
April 1st, 2008 saat: 4:24 am
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April 1st, 2008 saat: 6:19 pm
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April 1st, 2008 saat: 8:55 pm
Yes! I am a blood donor, but have fallen off the wagon since getting pg. Well my son just turned two so I think it’s safe to get back to the blood bank and start donating again! Hopefully it won’t be a problem that I’ve had a few surgeries in the last two years…it seems there are so many reasons they will turn you down. But I’ll definitely try!
I first started after seeing a horrible, horrible car accident. We didn’t stop because so many people already had and obviously we would just be in the way, but I wanted to help somehow. I decided to start donating that afternoon.
April 2nd, 2008 saat: 8:04 am
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April 2nd, 2008 saat: 12:20 pm
I am due in three weeks, once I am up and running I’ll start donating again.
April 2nd, 2008 saat: 7:09 pm
I’m in. I’ll unload my A negative on the first Red Cross drive I can find.
April 3rd, 2008 saat: 5:21 pm
Kinda stupid cause without it I’d be dead, but. Thanks for giving blood all that time. I’ve been this way since I was 2, while I doubt I got your blood, Thank you for it.
I’ll be praying for you, that things go smoothly, that you get better. The world needs more people like you, and to keep the ones we got.
April 4th, 2008 saat: 1:59 pm
Thank you for educating and inspiring me, and thank you for finding me.