What It’s Really Like To Donate Blood

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I’m writing today’s post for a specific group of my readers—those of you who have never donated blood. Why? Because I received an email from our local blood bank yesterday letting me know that they are currently down 775 blood donations from their usual number. Ouch!

During the holiday season, we often get so busy that we put off extra tasks like donating blood. Yet, people can’t take a break from needing blood due to illness, injury, or surgery.

I don’t say this to make anyone feel guilty. Some of you have medical conditions that prevent you from donating. Yet, I often meet people who have never given blood simply because they don’t know what to expect and they’re scared. That’s understandable.

I’ve been donating blood 2-3 times a year for decades, so the procedure has become old hat to me. Today I plan to walk you through the entire process in the hope that it will inspire new people to become donors.

Before you donate

You can either call your local donation center or go online to make an appointment. Before signing up, be sure to check for conditions that may disqualify you as a donor. These can vary from one site to the next, but often include:

• Weigh less than 110 pounds
• History of certain illnesses
• Taking specific medications
• Recent travel to certain countries

The instructions tell us to eat a “hearty” meal before the donation. Don’t skimp on this! An empty stomach increases the possibility of feeling nauseated or dizzy while donating blood.

Okay, now you’ve arrived at the donation site. You’ll check in at the registration area, and they’ll want to see a form of ID such as your driver’s license. Then you’ll wait until they call your name. I generally don’t need to wait for more than 10 minutes, but this varies at each location.

The nurse will escort you to a small, private room where they’ll check your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. They’ll also prick the tip of your finger with a little lancet to check your iron levels. This hurts a bit, but it only takes a second.

The most time-consuming part of the pre-donation process is the interview. In some cases, you can do this online at home. At other centers, a staff member will ask the questions and enter your answers on the computer.

I’ll warn you that some of these questions seem very personal. (Example: “Have you ever had sex with someone who was given drugs or money for sex?”) However, these questions are necessary to assure a safe blood supply.

During the donation

First, you’ll get settled into what is usually a very comfortable reclining chair. There will often be several other people donating blood in the room at the same time. Sometimes people donate different blood components such as platelets or plasma, so their machines may look a bit different.

There was a time when food and beverages weren’t allowed in the donation room. However, the last couple of times I’ve donated, I’ve been given a bottle of water and offered a little bag of crackers to eat during the procedure. This, of course, will vary between locations.

After verifying your identity and setting up the equipment, the nurse scrubs the skin on your arm with an antiseptic. This doesn’t cause any discomfort. The nurse may also temporarily apply a blood pressure cuff or tourniquet to your upper arm to make the vein easier to locate.

I won’t pretend that it doesn’t hurt when the needle goes into your vein. It feels similar to the sensation you feel when you have blood drawn at the clinic. If you’re squeamish about needles, this is a good time to look away.

I find that the amount of discomfort varies with each donation. Sometimes I hardly feel anything. Other times—especially if they have trouble finding the vein–it can hurt for several seconds.

If it does hurt, I remind myself that what I’m going through is nothing compared with what the people who will receive my blood are experiencing. And, once the needle is in place, the discomfort should go away.

Now you can sit back and relax during the donation that usually takes only 10-15 minutes. The nurse will probably give you a foam ball to squeeze every few seconds to keep the blood flowing at a steady rate.

You’ll be able to see the blood in the tubing as it flows around the machine and down into a bag. The blood in the tubing feels warm on your arm; this caught me by surprise the first time I donated.

The staff at the donation site keep a close eye on the donors. Be sure and let them know if you have any questions or if you start to feel funny.

The machine will shut off and beep to notify the nurse when your donation is complete. After disconnecting the tubing, the nurse removes the needle from your arm and applies a pressure dressing. You’ll probably feel a brief pinching sensation as the needle comes out.

After you donate

You’ll usually need to stay in the post-donation room for 15 minutes after the procedure. Don’t cheat on this one! The snacks and beverages offered in this room are important to help replace fluid and salt you’ve lost during the donation. It’s also a time to remain near medical professionals in case you develop problems like bleeding where the needle was removed or if you feel lightheaded.

Be sure to leave the pressure dressing on your arm for as long as the nurse recommends (usually 4 hours). This helps prevent bleeding and bruising. You’ll also receive a little card with a number to call if you have any questions or concerns.

While we freely donate our blood without expectation of reward, many donor centers offer little perks. A couple of times I’ve received a T-shirt. Occasionally they’ll put everyone’s name in a monthly drawing for a fun prize. Some centers also offer points that donors can cash in for gift cards from businesses.

The blood you just donated can help save or improve the lives of up to 3 people. If you want to know more about what happens to your blood, you can check out this interesting article from We Are Blood.

Another way to help

Besides donating as an individual, I hope you’ll also consider hosting a blood drive at your senior living community. Most donation sites have mobile units that come right to your building. Our nursing home usually does this once a year.

People often don’t take the time to go to the donation center at this time of year, yet they’ll donate while they’re at work. You can also catch people who are visiting loved ones.

So, are you ready to donate blood and save a life? Make that appointment now before it gets lost in the busyness of the holidays. Even better, invite a friend to go along and together you can save even more lives!