I am considering giving blood at my school's blood drive coming up, but I'm afraid to do it. Can anyone who has given blood before tell me what their first experience was like and, if they went back, what made them go back?

Nice job.
Was it so hard?

I tried again about a week ago, and I actually finished my donation

Giving blood was one of the best experiences of my life. For those of you who are afraid of needles or who for no reason don't want to donate- stop being so selfish. My grandmother wouldn't be here today if it weren't for blood donors. An hour of your time can save up to 3 lives! Multiply that by the approximately 6 times a year you can donate- you've possibly saved 18 people! Is a pin prick so scary that it's not worth the feel good high that you get afterwards, knowing that you've helped a perfect stranger in need? Everyone, it's summer. As youth we have extra time during the summer and the need of blood is greater now due to higher collision rates and such. Please- if you are 17 or older- take the time a donate this summer. One pin prick is worth a life time of memories for a someone's family member or friend.

you really doing some thing goog by donating blood!!

I want to thank everyone who's posted here, for giving me the courage to go through with it a couple of weeks ago.

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Originally posted by NoiseInTheShadows:
I am considering giving blood at my school's blood drive coming up, but I'm afraid to do it. Can anyone who has given blood before tell me what their first experience was like and, if they went back, what made them go back?

I give blood every time that the blood bus comes to our highschool. I am DEATHLY afraid of needles.....i absolutly hate them, they make me squeamish and everything else. But yet somehow I convince myself to do it everytime. It really doesn't hurt, just don't psych yourself out, it makes it worse. It really doesn't hurt at all, and it really is safe, there is nothing for you to worry about, trust me. They treat you well while you are there giving blood. You should totally do it, don't let fear hold you back, cause everytime you donate blood you save three lives, and that is a big deal, and totally worth it! So I say, go for it!! Good Luck!

*Tanya*

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my blood is mine to keep!

donating blood is no good.

Hmm...I'll remember that when you end up on the operating table and need a blood transfusion.

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donating blood is no good.

Why not?

my blood is mine to keep!

donating blood is no good.

I enjoy giving blood; enjoy it a lot. God knows not for the knowlege that 'I might save someone's life', but for more of a personal satisfaction. The needle and the sight of the blood. How delectibly delisious. However, the last blood drive I went to they did not allow me to give blood because my pircings were too new. Alas I will have to wait another four month before I am able to arise to the stumulating experience.
Err, it is not a big deal. They make you fill out paperwork and prik your finger to test your blood before anything. I am still wanting to walk out with my bag of blood as a prize instead of a cookie. One day, one day.

Congratulations for trying. My first time, a couple of months ago, I took the whole ten minutes to bleed the bag. 2/3 in two is fast.

I don't think the American Red Cross sells blood. It's not like the stuff has the greatest shelf life.

Actually, at times of emergencies you have everyone donating blood because it is something they feel like they can do to help. After 9/11 they were actually throwing out blood that was donated and turning people away because there was so much donated.

It's at the other times, when there are still people getting injured in car accidents and women hemoraging after giving birth, that we really need to recognize the need for blood transfusions and step up and donate. Everyone donates at times of crisis, but what about the everyday tragedy?

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Isn't it always a time of emergency? Blood banks are always short of blood.

You do have a point there, Noise. I hadn't thought of it that way.

It wasn't all that bad, except from the slight woozy feeling...

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it something good, but you should donate only at the time of emergency.....not at blood donation camp at times they sell blood and make a fool of ourself......

Isn't it always a time of emergency? Blood banks are always short of blood.

I can't do it either. I just couldn't bring myself to do that, its too creepy to me. I fully praise people who do though!

I would give blood...but the problem is that I don't really think my blood is good enough because I don't want to find out if I have things in my blood that may harm others

Okay, I finally did it. Well, sort of. Last Friday, my school had another blood drive. I signed up, and everything was hunky-dory until I actually gave the blood. The nurse put the needle in my arm, and then she tipped me back, because apparently that's what they do with all the first-time donors. That was what screwed me up. They must have seen that I went pale or something, because the nurse pulled me out after about two minutes. If she hadn't out me back, I probably would have been able to give the whole pint, but because I am so short, my arm was elevated from its original position in relation to my body, and I think that the needle was touching the other wall of my vein. If she hadn't put me back, or if I had told her to leave the needle in, I would have been done very soon, because I had bled 2/3 of the bag in those two minutes.

it something good, but you should donate only at the time of emergency.....not at blood donation camp at times they sell blood and make a fool of ourself......

I donated when I was 17. It was a good experience. I got out of class for 45 minutes, ate cookies, drank juice, and got to watch a movie while I was there. I recommend giving blood if you can.