I donate blood because I can. I have donated blood all of my adult life. Roughly every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. I want to be there for them. Every person who attends a Canadian Blood Services clinic knows the importance of donating. Donors give of themselves to improve the quality of life of those living with illness and indeed, to save lives.
In my years of promoting blood donation, I have heard two main reasons why people are hesitant to donate. One is the thought of "the needle". I can relate to that but in all honesty, if you feel the needle at all, it is a mere second-long pinch sensation. Compare that to what a person suffering from an illness may be enduring, perhaps days or weeks of discomfort. For them, I can do the needle.
The other reason individuals state for not donating is time. A donation takes an hour. An hour of my time may result in someone having a lifetime of hours. I do not plan my donations around my life. I plan my life around my donations.
A donation takes an hour. An hour of my time may result in someone having a lifetime of hours.
I once gave a donor recruitment talk. After I was finished, I was packing up my materials and was approached by a young lady. She shook my hand and thanked me for being a donor. She told me that at one time in her young life she had been very ill and blood transfusions had saved her life. It was a very humbling moment for me. It put a face to what I was doing.
Donating blood is so very important. To anyone thinking about donating, please do so. The Canadian Blood Services staff are wonderful and highly professional. If, after your first donation you feel it is not for you, fair enough. You have given it a try. But I'll wager you will be proud of your donation, return to donate and become a member of a special group of people, a blood donor.
Please book your appointment today by calling 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Allen Veale, of Stratford, gave his 1,000th blood donation on Tuesday.
