We All Know Why ...The Question is: Why Not?

Posted by – Dale Mathes, Code Enforcement Officer

We all know the great reasons to donate blood such as surgeries, transfusions, trauma cases, and natural disasters like “Sandy.”  We all know how convenient it can be with the City of Auburn Hills sponsoring two blood drives per year.  Today, the American Red Cross was at our Community Center once again collecting donations.  But, really … why do it?

Shelly Chapman of the Community Center has been coordinating these drives since 2003.  Her interest in blood donation originated with her own mother being stricken with breast cancer.  Shelly’s blood was compatible and she was able to donate for her mother’s needs.  Her mom is now an almost 20 year cancer survivor, but Shelly hasn’t forgotten the need for donations.

If you have never donated – or if it has been a while – let me walk you through the process.  First, you sign in and read about what conditions could disqualify you from donating such as foreign travel, recent transfusions, tattoos, contact with HIV or hepatitis, etc..  Then you sit down with a nice nurse (mine was Liz) who gets your vital statistics and your current health situation.  There are checks of pulse, blood pressure, temperature and hemoglobin count (done by a finger prick.)  After this, there is a computerized check list about your travel and health history, which might disqualify you.

From there you are ready to donate.  Another nice nurse (this one was Joan) had me lay down, prepped my arm and gently placed the needle.  (Yeah, it hurt for a second, but I was tough!)  Within 20 minutes, the pint bag had been filled and I was allowed to sit up carefully.  I was then escorted to the snack table for juice and pretzels.  I was advised to drink a lot of water for the next two days and I was on my way.  Total elapsed time: a little less than one hour.

Now, that’s how it’s done.  It’s a simple way you can help others in their time of need.  I recommend that you give it a try the next time you have the opportunity.  Hey, why not?