Are you the type to save a life?

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 Okay, so this is a little different post from me today and somewhat controversial in some ways I guess. But today, I was booking a blood donor session at my local blood donor centre and I thought it would make for a good post seeing as I would like to do more 'lifestyle' posts in terms of my blog. I totally understand if you don't want to read anymore about it and no-one will blame you for clicking that tiny 'x' in the corner of your screen and at the end of the day, we're all adult enough to make that decision :)

I've been donating blood since 2007 and I do it on a regular basis (well, as often as they'd allow me to!). I understand that there are different services for Scotland and the rest of the UK so my experiences will mainly be based on the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS). Let me say first off that I was PETRIFIED of needles. Like anything pointy that could penetrate skin would bring me out in a nervous cold sweat! So when a blood drive came to my university in 2007, I decided that my phobia of needles couldn't compare even remotely to someone in desperate need of my blood. And I guess that's what really started my blood donation story.

My family would prefer if I didn't do it (something to do with my Chinese roots!) but I'm old enough to make that decision and I've never had any trouble with it. The process is very simple; fill in a donor form, iron levels check and then off you go to donate! Afterwards you get to rest with a choccy biscuit and some juice! Simples! Some people are scared that it hurts, I'm not going to lie...it's somewhat 'uncomfortable' but you'll only ever feel a slight pinch and then it's 15 minutes of staring vacantly into space whilst they take only a pint of your blood (it's actually a little less than a pint!) and you're done!

So why do I do it? Well...why not? My body makes new blood on a regular basis and once every 4 months is like 2% of my time! It makes me feel like I'm contributing something to society and if I can help even one person then for those 4 months I know I've made a difference somewhere (however selfish that may sound). I was told once that only 3% of Scots actually donate blood. 3%!!! That's like nothing. I'm proud to be one of the 3% who do.

So...thanks for sticking with me through this post. What are your thoughts on blood donation? Are you a regular donor? Have you not really thought about it before? 

Vanessa

x

P.S...If you're wondering, I'm not that scared of needles anymore but even the bravest of us are scared sometimes.