Give Life (Roseburg, Oregon–Custom Photographer)

I used to have a fear of needles.

Then I started reading about kids with cancer. Kids who are in the hospital more than they’re at home. Kids who undergo horrific treatments all in the hopes of reaching remission. So, in 2006, I donated blood for the first time and lemme tell you, it was a piece of cake!

People need blood products for many reasons . . . liver disease, hemophilia, surgery, physical trauma, severe infection, sickle cell disease (along with other forms of anemia), and people undergoing treatment for cancer/leukemia.

Only 38% of Americans are eligible to donate blood and of those, only 8% do. That’s only about 3 out of every 100 people.

My friend Sara organized a blood drive in Roseburg last week and I was able to tag along and document the process.

Here’s Sara after the iodine prep which is done to cleanse the skin. (Notice the look of fear on her face) She squeezes the ball in her hand to get the blood pumping in her arm, which makes the donation go smoothly.

Here she is as the needle is inserted into her arm. She was too busy chatting with the phlebotomist to notice it was “that time”.

Cracking jokes with the rest of us . . .

This is the bag that holds the blood as it’s removed for donation.

The final product . . . The Gift Of Life!

And check out what you get as a “thank you” from the Red Cross.

Here’s Sara filling out her “donor satisfaction survey”.

And because it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen, I thought I’d post a pic of Sara’s shirt!

Pretty funny, eh?

The donation process takes about 45 minutes, with the actual donation taking about 10-15 minutes. While I was there, there was talk of a donation speed competition and one of the men set a new personal record for donating in under 5 minutes. (Seriously, people time it and compete with others? whoa!) I was loving it!!! There was no fear about any part of the process, just kind people chatting about their everyday lives while helping to save the lives of others. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives–wow! check out http://www.redcrossblood.org/ for more information and to read about eligibility requirements.

Please consider donating blood and giving the gift of life. You’ll be glad you did (and you’ll get free cookies and juice too)!