My doc recently put me on a prescription drug (Avodart) that takes me out of the eligible pool of donors. Somebody has to donate that pint of type O + every three months. It won’t be me, dang it.
Hi Ninjachick,
Congrats on taking that first step! Just wanted to add my two cents to what others have said.
First off, I think the posters who told you it doesn’t hurt a bit are either telling a little white lie, or have been very lucky with their own donations. Each time they ‘stick’ you (once in the finger, and of course once in the arm) it does hurt a little, but not for long.
About staying to eat/drink afterwards, I’ve never seen them physically stop a donor from leaving if she wants to, but they will try to get you to stay. Maybe if you schedule your donation at a non-medical-type place, you won’t mind staying. I’ll bet there’s a blood drive going on somewhere near you most every day at a church, school, community center, library, or business. If you call your local Red Cross, they should be able to hook you up.
I’ve never seen a friend follow a donor through the whole process, so I’m not sure that will fly. Can’t hurt to ask though.
I’d like to offer two pieces of advice. First, have something to eat before you go - there’s less chance of you passing out that way. Second, have them use the arm that’s not your dominant arm, if possible. If you put too much stress on the arm after donating, the hole in your vein could open back up, and most people are less likely to put stress on the arm they don’t use so much.
Good luck on your first donation - let us know how it went.
i gave blood every time my high school had a blood drive (okay…every time i was LEGAL and there was a blood drive). the first time i was nervous, but since students volunteer to help, i had a friend hold my hand (Don’t be ashamed if you really feel you need that, it helps - it’s distracting, make them talk to you).
the anxiety that everyone feels is pretty unnecessary because giving blood really is not as big of a deal as everyone [who hasn’t done it] thinks.
i think the reason it hurts so little is you’re lying back, straining your eyes on the ceiling lights so you don’t see the needle go in…you’re feeling by your nerves alone, so there’s no visual to emphasize the sensation. really, it’s not very painful, a slight prick when they stick you but thats it. I always thought it was cool anyway, how you could feel the needle in your arm but it didn’t hurt…sorry, im not helping.
honestly, if you don’t qualify because of your BP or something, they’ll let you know. They don’t let you give blood unless you’re physically capable, so at least make the appointment.
the one thing to remember: whatever time you make the appointment for, eat heartily before that. i’ve never had a problem with feeling light-headed because i made sure i wasn’t starving during the day.
First of all, NinjaChick, you rock. Only 1% (one!) of people who are eligible to donate actually do. Every unit can save three lives, and I think that’s a darn fine ratio of good to the the very minor inconvenience involved for you as a donor.
As to your questions – it is very important that you stay for the cookies and beverages after the donation. They’re not going to wrestle you to the ground and sit on you to keep you there, but it really is for your own good. Not only do you need the time to recuperate from the donation and need the calories and rehydration to buff you back up, during the fifteen minutes post-donation (that’s always been the minimum, IME) you’re being watched for any signs that you’re not recuperating appropriately.
You may think that you’re okay, but the medical staff in the canteen will look for signs that may not be obvious to you: pallor, inability to keep your body temperature regulated (inappropriate sweating or shivering) mild tremors or loss of dexterity, confusion, weakness, dizziness and so on. Chances are that you will experience absolutely none of these symptoms and your donation experience will be trouble free, but it is important that you stay where there are people who can help you should an adverse reaction occur.
Bright side: in every donation center I’ve been in (maybe 12 permanent centers, I’m not including mobile drives) the refreshment area is very non-medical. It’s tables and chairs, like a canteen, and typically bright and cheery. There are folks around with scrubs on, yes, but it’s much more like being in a hospital cafeteria than a doctor’s waiting room.
As for “bringing a buddy” I’ve never seen a donor center that allowed someone to actually come with the donor to the cot (because of HIPAA and privacy concerns, this is even more difficult now) but they might if you request a special accomodation. There’s no harm in asking.
If it’s not possible, why not try to get a friend or a family member to come and donate with you, requesting adjacent cots. That’s the kind of thing that most donor centers would be happy to accomodate, especially for a first timer (or two). The first time I ever donated, I went with my best friend and we were on cots next to one another and when we each took a turn at looked peaked, the other was able to reach out and grab a hand and give some encouragement. We were both really proud of ourselves when we were done.
And I know that you’re going to be very proud of yourself when you’ve joined the blood donor “family” too. You rock, NinjaChick! 
I’ve been donating regularly since I was 19, aside from breaks for two rounds of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Unlike some of the lucky people who’ve posted here, I have had some bad experiences, because my best vein is also kind of tricky (there’s a tendon right under it and it tends to roll). However, none of them has been bad enough to make me quit donating. The important thing I learned is that, if you feel pain, tell the tech immediately! In my case, if the needle hurts, that means it’s resting against the wall of the vein and needs to be adjusted so the blood can flow properly . It does no one any good for me to tough it out.
The blood people here (it’s United Blood Services, not Red Cross) always urge me to stay for a cookie and juice, but if I’m in a hurry, I don’t, and no one’s ever stopped me. The main thing is to be sure you’re well-hydrated going in and that you have a good meal after you’re done.
I am needle-phobic, and I started donating partly as in attempt to get over the fear. It didn’t work entirely (two pregnancies with the attendant blood tests did far more to desensitize me), but it gives me a good feeling to know I’m doing what I can to help people who need blood.
Let me add my voice to those urging you to donate, as well as add my comments (many of which have already been stated).
Those people who are telling you that it doesn’t hurt at all? Don’t believe them. I don’t mean to impune the honor of the people stating that - they may truly feel no pain but they are definately in the minority. It does hurt, just not very much. Just a little sting when the needle goes in. Ever get pinched by someone? If they pinched you hard, it hurt more than donating will. If you’re like me and your veins are deep, it may ache a bit during the rest of the donation.
Let me also encourage you not to skip the juice and cookies portion of the donation (the UBS center where I donate also has a soda machine). That time is necessary. Especially since you are going to be driving afterward. Although it’s not too likely that you’ll feel woozy or faint, if you do while you’re at the blood center, it’s no big deal. The staff will know how to handle it and there’s no real danger. If you happen to be driving because you were in a hurry to get out of there on the other hand…
Lastly, if you have any friends that are old enough to donate, take them with you. Car-pool down, get adjacent couches, hang out in the lounge, then go get lunch. It can make the visit fun and may also help you fight the nasty “it’s medical” sensation.
And one other bit of advice. They are going to ask you a lot of questions. Some of them are going to be very personal. They have no choice. Federal law requires them to do so. But I sincerely doubt you can tell them anything they haven’t heard 100s of times before so just listen carefully, answer honestly (almost all of them are “yes” or “no” answers) and get on to the important business of donating. And don’t be afraid to tell them if you’re a little nervous. They’re usually very nice and will do their best to put you at ease.
You’re doing a good thing.
Ok, here’s where I ruin the party for everyone. 
Ok, not really, but I feel the need to add my experiences even though I thought it might be better to avoid them.
The needle, at least where I went, was about the size of a pencil lead, and it did hurt somewhat. Not a lot, but somewhat. As I tend to be more sensitive to my body, there was a definite unhealthy feeling about having blood pumping from my arm into a little bag, which isn’t as little as it looks, and they changed bags after the first one was full.
Giving blood is, however, a lifesaving gift. And it requires very little of the person besides some minor discomfort. I absolutely hate it beyond all else, but it is a good thing. If I can handle it, so can you.
I’m with the people who say that the needle hurts a little, but not enough to make a big deal over. It’s nowhere near as bad as a bee sting, or even a stubbed toe. If you don’t like medical stuff, I recommend not looking at your arm or the bag while the needle is in, and you should be fine.
Do stay for the juice and cookies, especially if it’s your first time. The first time my husband donated, he felt fine when he got off the cot (they had him lie down for longer, since he was a first-timer), he walked over to the table and ate a whole ham sandwich (a local restaurant had donated “real” food for the blood drive) in about 15 minutes. Then he looked up at a tech, said, “Should I be feeling dizz…” and passed out into her arms. No problem for them - they had him lie down for a while longer, and then he was fine. But it was a good thing he stayed for the food instead of getting into his car.
If you just can’t stand the idea of staying in the blood center, see if they’ll let you have your juice and cookies sitting on the front stoop with your friend. At least you won’t be in the car, and help will be near at hand if you need it (but you probably won’t).
It’s a wonderful, important thing for you to do. I gave very regularly during high school after I was old enough - there was a blood bank at a transfer point for the public transit that I was taking every week, so it was very convenient - and it’s really fulfilling and wonderful. I also was CMV negative, so they used to put my blood into these itsy bitsy bags that they used for newborns. It’s especially cool to think that what you’re doing could save the life of a premature infant. I haven’t been able to give as regularly lately, as the demands of work make it more difficult to make time in my schedule, so I’m even more glad that I was able to do it when I was in high school and had more flexibility.
You are saving a life by donating. Think about that. 1 hour of your time = life for someone else. Amazing, isn’t it?
Donate.
The needle will sting a little. You will be tired later that day. By the next day you are likely to be symptom free. In a few weeks, someone else will be alive because you donated. A grandmother will get to hug her grandson or a mother will get to hold her child because you donated an hour of your time and a pint of your blood. How can you deny someone that gift?
Donate.
There is NO rational reason not to. None. Even irrational ones are hard to come by. There are dozens of places to donate that don’t look anything like a medical center. In college they would take donations at the student union… a far cry from hospital setting!
Donte.
Let us know how it goes.
I’m sorta with Copaesthetic – I don’t like it much at all, but I do it anyway.
My trouble is that I have a bad reaction if I look at blood coming out of my arm, so I have to look away. And it usually takes me about 3 times as long as anyone to bleed out a pint (reason unknown - low blood pressure?).
What keeps me going back is the fact that I was once seriously injured and badly needed blood. So long as they’ll have me, I’ll be donating once/year, repaying my debt (measured in pints, I’m ahead; measured in value, I have a ways to go).
Another regular donor checking in.
I go for the free t-shirts and the cookies.
My kids have gone with me and had cookies while I was donating, they watched me donate and fully understand that while it hurts a little the feeling of knowing I may have saved some ones life feels so good. I do whenever I am next eligilbe to donate.
My only advice is DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS BEFORE YOU DONATE. It makes the blood flow faster and it takes less time to donate. My last donation time was right at 5 minutes for one pint.
I recommend getting a hold of a recording of Tony Hancock’s The Blood Donor. Even if it doesn’t help much, it’ll make you laugh about the experience.
[TH]
“A pint? Why, that’s nearly an armful!”
[/TH]
Needles don’t bother me much, so the pain of the experience is neglible – the finger prick hurts more than the IV needle does. You’ll be fine.
sigh i wish i had the guts to do it. i’m not afraid of needles, or even the pain (i’m getting tattooed and will therefore be inelligible for a while anyway). well, actually it is the needles, but the length of them. i’m worried about moving and my muscle snapping it off inside me. i heard a story about this years ago, happened to an infant, and it mortified me…
anyway, i dont trust myself to stay perfectly still for even 10 seconds, let alone 10 minutes. so it’s kinda a no for me.
Make the appointment and go. If your heart rate is that high, then they won’t let you give blood. They’ll make you sit for a few minutes and try to relax. If you relax enough to make the cut, take it as a sign that you were definately meant to give blood.
I guess I should give a special thanks to Summerbreeze. My wife and I had a preemie that needed at least three blood transfusions (almost 9 yrs ago). Obviously since the chances are small that you specifically were one of the donors, it’s people like you that I should thank (and I am). I hope that my child will in turn become charitable in life like you guys.
I, on the other hand, have never donated blood. I went once right downtown to the red cross but was told to go somewhere else. I’ve always worked tons of hours and never got around to it. (I just thought I’d be fair and say that.)
NinjaChick, and everybody else, I want to thank you for donating blood!
I’m one of the people who depend on you and people like you to stay alive. I’m transfusion-dependant, and require blood about once a month. So you’re helping people like me, which is a really good thing. Again,
THANK YOU!!
Thank you Lockz.
While intellectually I know that people benefit every time I donate, hearing that from you makes it much more personal, despite the fact that I don’t even know you. Your post made me smile tonight.
Let me echo Lockz in saying THANK YOU to everyone who has donated or is about to donate. It’s an easy, selfless, and important act, and can save lives. I’ve been donating since I was 17, with no problems. The prick on your finger-tip for the iron test hurts worse than that big-ole needle. So go down there and donate: it’s one of the best things you’ll ever do.
Btw, when I went in to my local hospital to donate blood to become a Bone Marrow Donor, a lady walked up to me while I was waiting in the hallway. She was weeping and told me that her daughter-in-law had been saved by a bone marrow donation, and said that I was doing a very good thing. It was very humbling.
Okay, Lockz and Nichol_storm, you’ve pushed me. I’ve just dug out my blood donor card. I believe there’s a blood drive by my office this week, so I’ll go and donate a unit of B+.
It’s not fair! My next appointment isn’t for another two weeks! I wanna donate now!
Mooooooooooooooooooooom! Make the Red Cross take my blood!