Last Wednesday, I finally got my act together and donated blood. I'd been meaning to do it for some time but for some reason never got round to actually making the appointment.
It was surprisingly awesome. The donating centre was bright and comfortable, despite the sharp, clean smell that always accompanies places with needles. I filled out a questionnaire, complete with "personal questions", and then I went in for an interview which consisted of a nurse checking my weight, iron levels and blood pressure. Before I knew it I was lying feet-up in one of those reclining chairs.
The nurse put anaesthetic on the inside of my left elbow (a fluro yellow which subtly complemented my skin tone), placed an inflated cuff above my elbow to help blood flow and then gave me a small ball to squeeze when she stuck the needle in.
It didn't hurt at all! Just a slight prick really. Though she did sensibly encourage me to look away.
The whole donation took about ten minutes, then I was bandaged up and taken to another room where I got to eat junk (to increase my blood sugar and stop me from fainting) and drink apple juice! I didn't get a bruise either, though I still have a small rather attractive hole in my skin.
The best part about it was definitely knowing that I could help save lives. They tell you over and over again on the TV ads that one donation could save three lives, but I really didn't realise the full scale of it all until I had parted with a pint of blood. It felt great to know that I could be helping people in my own small way.
I next donate in October and am thinking of also becoming a plasma donor.
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