I Need Blood.

When polled, most people will say more people do not donate blood for religious reasons than any other. The most often supplied excuses are listed here in order of prevalence. Each excuse has a compelling agrument against it.

Top Ten Reasons People Don’t Give Blood
…And the Argument Against Them

1. I am afraid of needles and the sight of blood.

English: A blood collection bus from Children’...

Every drop is needed.

When surveyed, people who give blood report they feel a very slight pinch at the needle insertion. After ten minutes, they are finished and wondering why they were afraid. The technicians at the blood draw site are trained to make the process as painless as possible.

In many donation sites, you will not see blood unless you are looking at the tubing from the catheter to the blood bag. Most technicians will move the collection bag to a spot out of view to make you feel more comfortable.

2. I don’t have time.

From the beginning of the questionnaire to walking out the door takes one hour. The actual blood draw only takes ten minutes. Your donation of one hour and one pint of blood could save a premature baby, a cancer patient and a car accident victim. Would you give one hour to save three people?

3. No one ever asked. I don’t think my blood is needed.

The United States needs 38,000 donations per day. Someone needs blood every two seconds-everyday.

English: SAN DIEGO (Nov. 5, 2008) Maria Luz Ro...

Sterile equipment and clothing protect technician and donor.

4. I will get AIDS.

A sterile needle is used on you and then thrown away. It is impossible to get AIDS from donating blood.

5. I don’t have enough blood to donate.

Adults have ten to twelve pints of blood and can replace donated blood in less than 24 hours. Humans can survive with only six pints.

6. I’m too old/sick. They don’t want my blood.

Age is not a factor in determining eligibility to give blood. The only weight restriction is you be at least 110 pounds.

Infectious blood cannot be used. The diseases include: HIV, AIDS, hepatitis, bleeding disorders (hemophilia), blood and lymph cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (Mad Cow Disease) or diabetics who used bovine (beef) insulin from Great Britain after 1980, hemochromatosis, tuberculosis, intravenous (IV) drug users (risk of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS). All of these people need blood.

7. My blood type is rare. I’ll wait until there is a need.

There is always a need and most especially for rare blood types. You should give so a crisis situation does not occur.

8. My blood is not the right type.

If it is a common type, the demand is high. Most people who need blood will have your type. If your type is rare, there are very few donors, which makes the supply very small. All blood types are needed everyday.

9. I already gave blood this year.

You can donate blood every fifty-six (56) days. Some donors give blood five times per year.

10. I don’t want to feel weak when I donate.

Healthy adults have no after effects from donating blood. You have more than enough blood in your body to donate without weakening your system. Most donors go about their day without interruption.

Starve the little muggers.

Very few people are prohibited from giving blood. Even fewer choose not to donate blood for religious reasons, which is why it does not make the list. The top ten reasons more people don’t give blood can easily be argued against. Choose to save lives. Give blood.


(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2007-2012
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30 Comments

  1. I always give blood but keep forgetting my blood group 🙂

    Reply
  2. I have been critically ill in the past. needed and recieved a heart transplant. Without organ donors I would be dead. Also needed 4 units of blood at the time of the transplant.
    I have been a blood donor many times in the past.It is easy to give and one of the most valuble donations you can make.

    Reply
    • I am a lifelong advocate for organ donation. I give blood often. I have never needed it myself, but my children have. It is so easy to give and does so much good. Thank you for sharing your story, Ted. Red.

      Reply
  3. bear

     /  January 5, 2012

    Because of some of my injuries, I have needed blood. I would not be here if it weren’t for donors. Its as simple as that!

    Reply
    • Another life saved (more than once with you, Bear). Testimonies of those who needed blood are the most compelling reason for people to get over their phobias and perceived inconveniences to give blood. Thank you for sharing, Bear. Red.

      Reply
  4. I am presently unable to give blood due to heath reasons (the meds i have to take), but when i was able i gave at least 3 times a year. My brother was O negative, and was on stand-by at the local hospitals, sometimes getting calls in the middle of the night to come in and donate. He donated monthly. I, on the other hand, have AB +, not so hard to find. Everyone should give blood, it should be a requirement to get health care…

    Reply
    • Not a bad idea. I have never minded the idea of requirements for “free” healthcare. Especially when it necessarily means saving someone else. Giving is good for the psyche. Red.

      Reply
  5. I am usually prohibited from giving due to the fact I left the country the previous year before trying to give (ex: honeymoon, overseas service trips, etc). Maybe, next year though!

    Reply
    • I hope so. In the meantime, it is a good idea to help some of your friends get into the habit of giving! Glad to see you today! Red.

      Reply
  6. Important post Red. Enjoyed the way you went about it; your cunning use of wit and information. No better was to disseminate needed information and you’ve got it down. Damn, no wonder I like you.

    Give blood whenever I can, as does my daughter. Been under the knife enough times to KNOW how important it is. My daughter is a natural born giver to life. She has been a strict vegetarian since the age of 11. She detests vegetables but is not willing to have an animal in pain just so she can eat. The first time she wanted to donate blood I had to sign a parental release.

    Really enjoyed this piece. Hope hundreds and hundreds of people read it.

    Reply
    • I hope she is the most powerful peer pressure influence in her social circles. We need 17.4M more just like her.

      *curtsies sweetly* I try 😉

      Reply
  7. One more note: Am also registered as an organ donor on my driver’s license. Okay another note: Tweeted and Plus 1’d your post.
    That’s how important this piece is.
    You go girl!

    Reply
  8. I am an organ donor and have given blood often in the past (and worked at blood donation events). They won’t let me do it now 🙁 The reason: I have only one good vein in my arms, and I broke the elbow that vein is in. So, if something went wrong, they would not be able to fully extend the arm. So they won’t do it. I’m personally willing to let them hunt for a deeper vein/artery, but not up to me. Those who give blood give life – God bless them every one!

    Reply
    • That sounds bizarre to me. I have seen former IV users pass the clean exam and have the draw at alternative sites because they had obliterated their soft tissue veins. Sounds like you could use a more enthusiastic donation location!

      Reply
  9. …Yes Give Blood…
    much easier than having to
    fly around of an evening on
    the hunt for a sweet neck to
    bite 🙂 Mmmmm lovely 🙂 😉

    Have a great evening Red 🙂
    Blooooooooood Red me thinks? 🙂

    Androgoth XXx

    Reply
    • Certainly easier. Enjoy these wee hours of the morning! And yes, blood Red 😉

      Reply
      • I am always burning the candle
        at both ends Red 🙂 But the weekend
        beckons and I think that it is going to
        be very…

        Well naughty at least 🙂 😉 lol

        Androgoth XXx

        Reply

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