A Pinch and a Sting

 My goal at the start of the year was to do something every month that helps others. So far I've been doing pretty good at following through! Some months I am able to do more than others, but overall I'm happy with how it's gone. While trying to plan out potential ideas, donating blood was an easy one include. I first donated blood in 2003, and then from 2005 onwards (apparently I boycotted donating in 2004) I would donate blood about twice a year. That's not to shabby considering you can only donate 6 times a year total! Last year I kicked into slightly higher gear and donated 3 times. Apparently this qualifies you as a Silver VIP Life Saver! They even give you a lapel pin and free t-shirt! (and we all know how I feel about free t-shirts!). Silver VIPs donate 3-4 times in a year while Gold VIPs donate 5-6. In 2013 my goal is to become a Gold VIP Life Saver! Yesterday I donated for the 3rd time in 2013. If I keep this up, I should be able to make it!! I may even go for the full 6 donations!!

Even though I've donated blood about 20 times before, I still get slightly nervous each time. I mean let's face it, I'm letting a stranger stab me with a giant needle and then literally watching while 1/10 of the amount of blood in my body flows through a tube. Personal confession-I'm a total worrier and prone to some anxiety. I always worry that they won't be able to find my vein, or something will happen to really hurt my vein or my arm, or that I'll faint, or whatever other crazy places my mind takes me to. In reality the worst that has ever happened is that I have almost fainted....twice. Both of which were totally my fault! I had a pretty empty stomach both times, which let me tell you is not a good idea! That was years ago and now when I know I'm planning to donate I eat about double the amount of food I normally would that entire day and I haven't had any problems with feeling light headed or fainting!

I know the slight anxiety will probably always be there when donating. But like many things in life, I just have to weigh the pros and cons. My blood type is A- which only 6% of Americans have. People with A- blood can only receive blood from types A- and 0- which is only about 13% of the total population. I'd like to think that if I ever needed blood that there were more people who were willing to weigh their fears or anxiety against the possibility to save a life. After my last donation in April I got an email telling me which hospital my blood went to. I thought that was really cool. And that's why I'll continue to donate. Because for only about an hour total of my time from checking in to finishing up my post donation snacks, I knew I was doing my part to help save a life in a nearby community. And that feeling of making a difference totally outweighs any anxiety!!