Why I Donate: Student Stories
![](http://www.redcrossblood.org/<img class="imagefield imagefield-field_ugc_picture" width="100" height="82" alt="" src="http://www.redcrossblood.org/sites/arc/files/imagefield_default_images/ugc-avatar.gif?1258078701" />) |
TraciOvercoming My Fear
by Traci
My whole life I have had to deal with needles, and I have always been so terrified of them. I was told of a blood drive in my school a few months ago and my first thought was no way! I was not letting someone put a needle in my arm. I talked it over with my friends and decided that because my blood type is AB - I should probably help out people in need. Just the thought of saving 3 individuals lives was intriguing. I myself want to go into the Health field as a Midwife someday so I figured what's a little blood going to hurt. Today was the day of my blood drive and I was beyond petrified all morning. From signing in to sitting and waiting, I almost changed my mind. But, I sat it out and kept telling myself if was for the greater good. It was finally my time to sit on the table, I began shaking and wishing I would have changed my mind but I sat down and tried having a conversation with the woman about to poke me. Before I knew it the needle was already in. I sat there for a moment and slowly I began to relax. I started to feel so happy with myself. After I was finished I was so excited at what I had done. I signed up for another blood drive in my town for June. I can't wait to help again. Thank you Red Cross for helping me overcome my fear. |
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JessicaIts worth it.
by Jessica
I was so excited to turn 16 and have the ability to donate blood finally! When I heard about the blood drive at my school, I immediately signed up. As the day grew closer I was starting to get a little worried. I had heard the horror stories, as we all probably have. But I manned up, and laid down in the bus. Now I donate as much as I can. It was a wonderful experience! Now, while I am with my dad for the vacation, I'm trying to get him to donate again. He has O RH negative. (Very rare!) And I'm excited to be able to get him to donate again, and to be able to share that experience with him! |
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KatieBlood for my mom
by Katie
I never donated blood in high school because the thought freaked me out. Once I got to college I donated once to help out my sorority, but I didn't make it a habit. Then I found out that my mom has a rare blood disorder and may eventually need transfusions. Now everytime I think about my mom needing blood, I want to donate and encourage others to also donate. I now donate on a regular schedule( 6 times a year). I know that whenever my mom needs blood I want there to be plenty, so I give mine so that others can also have the gift of life! |
![](http://www.redcrossblood.org/<img class="imagefield imagefield-field_ugc_picture" width="100" height="75" alt="" src="http://www.redcrossblood.org/sites/arc/files/ugc_donor_videos/image_6.jpg?1363835336" />) |
KarinaFirst time donors!
by Karina
Today my school had its blood drive, I finally turned 16 just two months ago and decided to donate with my friend who just turned 16 two days ago. We are sophomores in high school and after the donation we felt very proud! Even people we did not know came up to us and told us we did a good deed! We agreed to donate blood every time our school has a another blood drive! |
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CallieI'm young but I can help!
by Callie
I am 17 years old and i have donated blood 4-5 times since turning 16. I have o- so i know my blood is needed like crazy and knowing that, i donate so that more people in the world can live to see another sunrise! |
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RachelVideo game nerds will understand this.
by Rachel
I honestly donate because I know I'm an awful person.. And if anyones played the fall out series I look at like when you're traveling along the wasteland and see that man with the need for the bottle of pure water, you gain karma points from it.. Or the gift of cherity perk from skyrim. I know that's silly.. But, I'm 20 and immature.. So shoot me. I donate to feel better about myself and lifestyle choices. |
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JenniferBecause It's Personal
by Jennifer
My grandfather has thalassemia, a type of genetic anemia. He has to receive transfusions very frequently. This has only recently affected him, and he used to donate regularly. I like to think that by donating, I am helping my grandfather receive the blood he needs - and that I might someday need, too. |
![](http://www.redcrossblood.org/<img class="imagefield imagefield-field_ugc_picture" width="100" height="75" alt="" src="http://www.redcrossblood.org/sites/arc/files/ugc_donor_videos/pict0361.jpg?1363505213" />) |
WilliamMy donations and the people i have saved
by William
I have given blood over the past 2-3 years. I was scared at first because i didnt know what donating blood felt like, not having done so before. Before i gave a pint of my blood as a donation, it was explained to me that i would have to go over to the refreshment table after i was done donating to replace what i lost giving blood. At the next donation i felt comfortable enough and was not so nervous. After giving a gallon of blood and receiving a 1-gallon pin, i started doing double red donations. it was very uncomfortable at first when the first pint was drawn out of me and then had the plasma returned to me after whatever was needed was taken out of that pint. Here are the approximate number of lives i have saved thus far from my first donation to now:2010: 12 2011: 24 2012: 18 for a grand total of 54 lives. As i look back on all my donations and the total number of lives i have saved with my blood, it occurs to me how happy and satisfied i feel knowing that i have saved the lives of 54 people i dont even know. Therefore i am happy to say to the 54 people i have already saved plus the many people who will be saved by my future donations that even though i dont know where you live, how old you are, or even if you're male or female, you guys hold a special place in my hearts and i hope you feel the same way about me. To all those who ask themselves how they can help somebody, this is an EXCELLENT way to help somebody. Give it a shot, because sometime in the future your blood could save me when i need it the most. |
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EmilyLesson Learned
by Emily
This was my second time donating blood, and after feeling fine the first time I had no worries doing it again. The place was being run by a bunch of girl scouts that were annoying and I will look to see if I can avoid that in the future. I sat my 15 minutes with a snack and then left with my free t-shirt. I felt fine till about 1 hour later. I nearly passed out walking through a store. After talking with a nice lady who kindly helped me, we discussed the best foods to eat before a donation and bread with peanut butter was something she used to keep hydrated, and thats what I ate my first time donating but not my second. I recommend eating bread and peanut butter and definitely taking it easy and not walking around after the donation process. This event will not stop me from donating in the future and will just learn from the lesson. I encourage everyone to donate, the people who work for the red cross are super nice and comforting. The pain is SUPER minimal, and the gratification is an amazing feeling. A few weeks after the donation you will receive a letter that thanks you for your donation and tells you how many lives you saved. I am grateful that I am able to give and help save others. |
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HunterNot What I Expected.
by Hunter
The first time I donated blood was not was I expected, my friend had badgered me into after saying I should do it for almost a month. So I go in with clammy hands and knees shaking and just when I start to relax in the donor chair the nurse said "I can't find your vein" after almost 10 minuets of squeezing the ball and retying the band, she made a bold move and tried to stick me. She got me on the second try. But just as she was about the switch bags, out of no where the needle just slid out, my vein pushed the needle out of it. So we tried the other arm, same process, same result with the needle!! She apologized to me and I was apologizing to her the whole time she took my samples from my wrist. It wasn't what I expected but once I actually thought about who I saved, I felt like it was worth it. |
