I know what you are thinking – here she comes looking for accolades and appreciation for doing something so basic. I want to begin by saying this post isn’t to boast or highlight the fact that I donated blood but to share the weird, scary and nice things that revolved around the whole experience. I have donated blood only once before in 2017 and the reasons for not donating more often are first, that seeing blood makes me very woozy and second, I am extremely lazy (I really wish I wasn’t). I’ve been on multiple hospital runs over the last few months since my grandfather has been undergoing cancer radiation therapy. Every time I’d see the donate blood option, I’d promise I’d come back on my own and donate blood. So when yesterday, a college senior posted about a relative needing blood in the same hospital – I saw it as a sign to go help out.
THE SCARY
To be fairly honest, I didn’t sleep well the night before – just cause the donation comes with SO many ifs and buts. You need to be healthy enough meaning your hemoglobin levels need to be normal, your blood pressure needs to be normal and you shouldn’t be suffering from anything that can be passed on through blood infusion. The entire night (and even presently) the ONLY thought on my kind has been – what if I am DYING. I know I’m irrationally overthinking it but I have this weird phobia of knowing that I’m unwell… I’d rather just drop dead than know and suffer and make others suffer. I’ve asked for the hospital to share the reports of the tests done on my blood with me and I’m waiting all nervous to be told that I’m dying. I teared up SO many times while giving blood just because I am terrified that I’m going to find out that I’m dying. Again, death doesn’t scare me – suffering and going through treatment terrifies me. (YES, I AM A VERY WEIRD ADULT!!!!)
THE BAD
I was one of the first few people at the blood bank. With me was also this group of middle-aged men who had come together. The form filling had some questions that were unconventional and could be uncomfortable for people not so sex-positive. One such question was- “if you had been sexually assaulted?” The group of men read the question out aloud, start snickering and start saying “I wish I was yaaa. Someone do it to me please.” I was mortified. I was the only woman there and I just wanted to go up to them and YELL. I can’t believe that in this age, people still make light of sexual assault especially men getting assaulted. As someone who has gone through some stuff, I was appalled.
THE GOOD
The guy on the donation bed next to me started talking to me. We both realized while talking that we’d come to donate blood for total strangers that we didn’t know anything about. It made me feel so good to know that kindness was still alive. Even around the waiting area, I heard people coming in to donate blood for people they didn’t really know and it restored my faith in humanity.
Overall the two hours I spent in the hospital were two painful, anxiety-filled hours. I’m still freaking out that I’m going to find out I’m dying (arghhh, my brain). But if you don’t donate blood and are a healthy adult – do try doing it. It isn’t a huge task and every healthy adult can donate blood once in 3-4 months. Once you donate, you also get a donation card that you or someone in need can present to get blood in an unfortunate situation. Another good initiative to sign up for is organ donation. If you do sign up, please make sure to also keep your family members in the loop because the final decision to do it or not comes down to them.
Are you a blood donor? How has your experience been? If you aren’t, would you consider donating?
PS: My amazing friend Lebogang wrote a beautiful blog review about my blog. I was so moved by her kind words. It would mean the world if you’d go check it out here.
Happy Panda 
very well expressed your emotions.
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Are you a blood donor?
— No, not in the condition to donate blood. But I received blood when I was sick, two years back.
I want to thank the donator.❤️
(How I forget to thank the person??)
Indeed, a great post.👏👏
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Congrats on making the choice to be a blood donor. I made my first donation a few months ago, and even I received a text telling me my blood was being transported, it was such a great feeling.
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Bravo, even if you were scared you did it. That’s remarkable and for someone unrelated to you. Very inspiring. I have never donated blood because I have always been under the weight limit but I have always wanted to. My sisters who are healthcare professionals do it all the time. It is very healthy for the body and helps others. Very well done!
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I never donated blood ( health issues, so I can’t). But I’d hate it if I was able to donate and my blood would end up in veins of someone who makes fun of sexual assault. I’d donate blood only if I knew who it was going to. Years ago perhaps my answer would be different – but between an innocent child and a creepy person, I’d choose to donate to a child.
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I have several friends who’ve needed blood donations where it saved their lives. I think it’s such an honorable thing to do. I wish I was able to do it but I’m not healthy enough. Great post! Thanks for sharing it with us
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I have the same fear, as you, every-time I need to go through any routine medical checkup! I freak out as if I am going to hear my death sentence. Blood donation not only help the person in need of blood but also the donor by regenerating new blood. I have never donated before and I do have it in mind. Did the extraction process hurt?
As for the people laughing for the assault, no comment! It is disgusting how some people can be so indifferent and joke about other people’s pain! I want to see their laugh if it really happen to them!
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Thank God I am not the only one with that phobia. Every time I go to see a doctor, I don’t sleep the whole night before cause I’m terrified that they’ll see my face and tell me that I’m dying.
The process wasn’t painful, I hate the sight of blood so seeing the blood bag made me woozy. I did feel a little bit of weakness after (which could also have been because it was a very hot day) so I dozed off for an hour after.
RIGHT?!? I hate how casual people can be about assault. It is disgusting.
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Thank you for sharing. I’m hoping to be able to donate blood someday. It depends on whether I qualify. I’m so sorry those guys joked about sexual assault. I would have beat them up with you!
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So happy to read your account and grateful you decided to donate! I’ve never donated myself but I’d absolutely love to soon. So sorry you had to hear those guys joking about sexual assault – it’s so wrong and sad and I wish they change for the better.
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I used to donate blood, but sadly cannot any longer. It was always a positive experience.
I’m saddened to hear of the men responding the way they did “if you had been sexually assaulted?” The group of men read the question out aloud, start snickering and start saying “I wish I was yaaa. Someone do it to me please.”, as if sex = assault. If that’s how they live their lives, I worry for their partners, they may experience disrespect. Unfortunately, that’s a knee-jerk reaction, which may not go away soo.
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I occasionally give blood, but not as regularly as I used to. I found that for a day or two afterward, I would get light-headed when I stood up. It wasn’t scary but gave me pause. A few of my coworkers and I used to go together and give blood. There was something cool about doing it with a small group of buddies that felt communal.
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Definitely! I think having a group would make sure I don’t get lazy and actually go donate blood every quarter. I’m hoping to rope in my brother and best friend to make a group to go together to donate.
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It saddens me that the unthinking men made a joke about sexual assault. It’s questionable to do that even when one’s buddies are the only ones in the room, but it’s particularly appalling to joke in that way in front of women.
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Truly appalling especially when they had come for such a good cause of blood donation.
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I feel you on the what if I’m dying part. I have anxiety about that too.
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Good for you, it’s amazing you did this even in the face of so much anxiety. Omg EFFFFFFF those men, that is horrific and disgusting and they all need to experience life-altering events to make them see differently, and I hope each of them do. Also, oddly, I share your fear of suffering and treatment more than death. I’m basically exactly the same, and I’m always nervous as well that I’m going to be given terrible news about my health in any given moment. So you’re not alone!! This was a great post 🩸😬💖
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Donating is such an honourable thing to do. Also glad you manages to do it again even after the anxiety you had to endure. You’ve done a great job.
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Amazing! And congrats for doing it in spite of your anxiety related to it, this is a really kind and selfless thing to do! I am also absolutely mortified at the conversation of the strangers…
I have donated blood several times in the past – though it has been a long time since I didn’t do it – and my favourite part was always the little buffet afterwards (at least we get one in France) ahah. Once the nurses just got macarons for themselves and offered one to me so it really made my day ahahah
I think in many European country you are an organ donor by default now, so if you don’t want to donate your organs when you die you have to specify it (instead of the other way round).
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I’ve never donated blood but have thought about it and come very close! This is something I do see myself doing at some point but for some reason or another, I’ve just never made it in (sadly) but kudos to you for giving back any way you can. I commend you for that! 🙂
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You’re so brave and a reminder that there are still kind people out there. I hope your next donation goes better.❤️
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So much with your grandpa Ru. So sorry!!💕
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