Donating Blood to the Red Cross
I just gave blood a few minutes ago. My donation to the American Red Cross was simple and quick and I experienced very little pain. In fact I hardly noticed when they put the needle in my arm, and I didn’t feel it at all when they removed it. I try to donate blood at least four times per years. This was my third blood donation for the year.
I’ve donated often the last few years, but before that I occasionally donated: after 9/11, after other disasters, when it was very convenient. I started donating as much as possible when I was doing research for a book about my father. In 1989 he was in a terrible accident that almost killed him and left him head injured and physically handicapped. During my research I learned that 30 people donated blood for him and he received 12 units of that blood. Now, when I donate I do it for my father and in honor of those that cared enough about him to overcome their fear of needles to help a friend and loved one.
If you can donate blood I hope you will. It doesn’t hurt very much, and the personal reward is much higher than the minor pain. Every day someone needs blood to survive and you can know that you’ve helped to save lives. Donating is your chance to make a real difference in the world.