Giving blood and meeting new people

I donated blood for the twelfth time on Friday. That puts me at about a gallon and a half of blood I’ve given that has been sent to hospitals. What’s cool is the American Red Cross lets me know exactly which hospital has received my blood and when. It’s nice to know I’m actually making a difference in someone’s life, although I tell people I just go for the fruit snacks and juice boxes. 

 

This time was the first time going in Denver, although I’ve gone in numerous communities including Minneapolis, Waseca, and Faribault, and the procedures are always pretty much the same. The woman attending me had just finished her training and was on her first week as real blood collection staff. We got to talking and she explained to me she had gone to school for some sort of biology, but after a terribly awful work experience this summer, she made a career change that seemed to be going well. 

 

I could tell she was inexperienced because she worked at a slower pace, made me read things I already knew, and explained every step she was doing. Granted, a first-time donor might like to know all those things, but after twelve times, I already know. Not to mention I had to remind her she wants me to squeeze the little red ball before she puts the needle in. 

 

I’ve had some not great experiences in the past with phlebotomists trying to find my vein with the needle. For the sake of any sensitive readers, I won’t get into detail, but let’s just say a couple of tries with a needle in your arm is not the most comfortable thing to experience. It usually always is the newer workers who can’t find it the first try or don't have the ease or grace with the needle that the veterans have. 

 

I would like to think I’m the perfect type of person to practice on. I will sit there with my mouth shut, take everything given and be as supportive as I can. But it seems almost every time I go in to give blood, it’s a newer person. And that’s okay, I love to see people learning. 

 

So needless to say, I was a bit nervous as we approached the point where the needle would be inserted into my arm.  

 

I looked away when she recommended it, but to my surprise, there was no adjusting. Just in and done. Granted, I looked down to see a drop of blood had escaped, which I’m sure isn’t what they want, but I’ll take that any day over needing to adjust the needle. 

 

The best part of giving blood though, is the people. 

 

Sitting in the waiting room afterward, munching on pretzels with my fruit snacks lined up next and my apple juice box in my hand, I watched as the kind volunteer lady who checked us in went over to the guy who had finished before me. 

 

“Do you want to schedule your next appointment?” she asked him. 

 

He said he was to start a new job and move soon, so did not want to schedule anything currently. She then turned to me to ask the same and I said, “Sure, why not? What dates do you have?” 

 

The only day that worked for me was a Monday, which is one of the days when I hunker down and crank out the newspaper pages. So I, ashamed I also had to reject her, said I would think about it, but sign up when I got the notification on my phone I was eligible again. 

 

The lady sitting across from me then raised her hand. “I’ll do it that day! Give me whatever time you have earliest.” 

 

Excited, the older lady went over to get her signed up. However, she was still logged into my name, so a notification came through on my phone I had signed up for Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. I let her know that she had accidentally signed me up instead of the other lady, but I took it as a sign. I needed to give blood at 9 a.m. on Dec. 8. Sarah, the lady who had originally wanted to be signed up for that time, laughed and said she would happily take the next slot. 

 

“See you on Dec. 8!” she told me as she left.

 

Long story short, please go out and try to give back. You don’t know which amazing people you’ll meet. 

 

My Determination: "Well look at that, I've never been an inspiration before. I don't like it, it's too much responsibility." – Nick Miller, New Girl