Canadian Blood Services was in town last week to collect blood donations. Humboldt exceeded their goals on the number of donors which made Jeff Martel with Canadian Blood Services grateful for the generosity of Humboldt.
There is more to be done.
According to government statistics, only 1 in 60 Canadians donate blood where half the population is eligible to donate.
There are reasons people do not donate, that is understandable.
I can only donate about half the time due to low iron. Other people I talk to cannot donate because of medication they are on.
To the people who are afraid to donate, I dare you to.
It feels weird. It pinches a little. But there are plenty of things that hurt more.
Stubbing your toe hurts more.
A tetanus shot hurts more.
Hitting your head on the door jam hurts more.
Slipping on ice and landing on your butt really hard definitely hurts more.
Look past the fear it will hurt, it really doesn’t.
Look past the fear of needles.
You do not have to watch; although I do, it looks cool.
You do not even have to see the needle if you don’t want.
The vampires, or Phlebotomists as they are also called, are great for dealing with people with a needle fear.
This is their job. They deal with people who are not always comfortable donating all the time.
Whether for medical procedures or medical treatment, there is a good chance everyone will need blood at least once in their lives.
Looking at the Humboldt donations, there were 153 donations last week, and 593 donations since April 2015.
According to Canadian Blood Services, those 153 donations can save three car accident victims, can provide 19 weeks of blood for leukemia patients, and provide the blood needed for almost 20 cardiovascular surgeries.
There is nothing saying that you won’t need to be revived from a car accident, go through heart surgery, or have to be treated for cancer at some time in your life.
Wouldn’t you want someone to donate for you?
What if it was a member of your family who needed blood? Or plasma, or platelets, or organs. Wouldn’t you want someone to make a vital blood donation to save their life?
If none of these reasons persuade you, at least go for the free cookie.
Canadian Blood Services will be back in town in April.
