The Gift of Life is Always Needed and Well Received!

I posted the original version of this on Facebook a couple of days ago and thought I would spread the opportunity and appeal a bit further though LinkedIn. Now that COVID-19 restrictions are easing and postponed operations are ramping up, there is a tremendous need for more blood donors to step up!

When I was living in Toronto many years ago, I used to give blood fairly often . . . on an irregular basis I managed to donate a little over 25 times. I started at the tender age of 17 due to mild peer pressure from my fellow teammates on the high school football team where I specialized in strategic bench warming--we were NOT allowed to miss practice that day as we had hoped . . . unfortunately!

When I moved to Vancouver in 1995 I didn't start up again for some unknown reason--just didn't think about it, I guess. Then a few years ago, my friend and CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) colleague, Randall Craig, contracted a nasty blood disease (leukemia). When a number of us asked what we could do or how we could support him, Randall suggested we donate blood. The blood donation wouldn't go directly to him for transfusing; however, it would certainly help someone else. That was when I started donating blood (and posting pictures on Facebook) here in Vancouver.

Today was donation # 23, a photo of which can be seen above in this post. I've been able to donate seven times throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The procedures were radically changed to ensure the safety of donors & staff. My health never felt at risk and since fewer people were able to move through the clinics due to COVID-19 protocols, I felt it was even more important to show up as often as possible.

I was having coffee with a couple of friends and mentioned I was donating blood as my afternoon activity. One of them asked how I felt after giving blood. I immediately replied "Fantastic"! I then went on to explain that physically I always feel fine, especially since I'm instructed to avoid any heavy lifting for 24 hours (I am understandably disappointed but feel it's a small price to pay). More importantly, I always know I have just freely given something that will benefit someone I will never get to know--and that feels AWESOME!

So now I give on a regular basis as frequently as is allowed-and I will continue to do so as long as Canada Blood Services wants my blood and I'm sufficiently healthy to contribute.

Did You Know?

• There is no longer an upper age limit in Canada--I hope to test out that assumption over the next 45 years or so!
• If you 71 or older and are thinking of donating for the first time, Canadian Blood Services asks that you contact them.
• Men can donate every 56 days (approximately every two months), every 84 days for women (approximately every three months). Used to be every three months for men when I was living in Ontario.

Some people are not interested in giving blood for whatever reason. That is certainly their choice and is not to be judged.

That being said, if you haven't given blood before and are interested in finding out more, please head to https://www.blood.ca/en to review the criteria for donating and sign up for one of the clinics that's close to where you work or live--they take place on a regular basis.

Giving blood . . .

• does not take long. From when you check-in until you leave with cookies or chips in hand usually takes around 45 minutes or so--my actual donation took 7 minutes and 3 seconds of the time I was at the clinic.
• is very easy, and
• is always needed, regardless of your blood type. In fact, it is one of the few places where being Negative is actually viewed positively!

Everyone in the clinic bends over backwards to ensure you're comfortable and aware of how much your donation is appreciated.

There are others who have been told in the past they can't donate for a variety of reasons (low body weight, travel history, medical condition, etc.). Sometimes, sufficient time has passed and criteria have changed so they are now able to do so. If you're still interested in donating, please head to https://www.blood.ca/en to check out the current criteria. If you're still not able to donate but feel it's an important contribution that can be made, please encourage your friends to donate--that form of support is valuable, too!

BONUS THOUGHT: In a world where so many people are worn out, cynical, depressed, anxious or otherwise negative (in many cases with good reason), you can be assured that when you go to donate blood, you will be in the company of other donors--complete strangers who enjoy giving freely of themselves with no return expected, other than feeling good about supporting someone else, and possibly even helping to save a life. What a nourishing environment in which to spend a little time--I never see a scowl on the face of fellow donors!

What I learned from my Facebook post . . .

• Many of my friends give blood on a regular basis (one of my clients is booked for donation #125--that is flippin' AWESOME!)
• Many have been on the receiving end of a donation (over 100 for one person, 30 for another, and several others, too)

Several have committed to starting up again--YAY!And several who can't donate for a number of reasons are reaching out to their friends to encourage them to consider donating.If you're able, please consider giving now, giving often and encouraging friends and family to do the same.

You may even decide to arrange a post-donation party. Should you choose to go out for a wee libation to celebrate, your credit card will be happier than usual when the bill arrives!

Bleed on!