The Experience: Donated Blood for the First Time
This week I participated in the 2nd Annual Red Cross Blood Drive here on campus! It was coordinated by the graduate students enrolled in Dr. Lisa M. Lapeyrouse’s Health Communications course (HED 545). The Masters in Health Education and also Masters in Public Health students collaborated with the Great Lakes Region American Red Cross to put on this blood drive. At this drive they had food and games and prizes for potential blood donors. What a great idea!
I decided to go after my technical writing course got out early. I was so excited that nobody was in line! But as I read the important “Before You Decide to Give Blood” manual, it was printed in bold “EAT BEFORE YOU GIVE BLOOD. DON’T SKIP MEALS”. Foolishly I had run out of the house so quickly that morning to turn in a final project that breakfast surely skipped my mind! So I dashed to the info desk and picked up a bagel. As I ate, however, the line seemed to grow and grow. What once was “next in line” excitement suddenly turned into “I’m #46 and they’re on #32” frustration. However, It was my own fault that I lost my initial spot for not eating, so I calmly sat down and waited my turn. On the bright side, this would give my food time to digest. Fortunately enough, the line moved quickly! Before I knew it, it was my turn. As I walked in, one girl was receiving medical attention for having a dizzy spell. I took a deep breath as I walked in, hoping that didn’t happen to me.
I started out at a computer where a nurse ran a few tests to make sure my blood was plentiful enough to give a pint away. Then a survey was administered that had some background questions. Your girl passed both sections with flying colors! Now it was time to give my pint. As they prepped me for the drawing, I warned them that most people have a hard time finding my veins. In fact, one vein was very close to a tendon, so it was very important I didn’t move my arm, sooo nerve wrecking. After a little pinch, I was ready to go. You never realize how long it takes for a pint of blood to be drawn! Right as the wait became a little unbearable, I was done. Everyone was so nice. They bandaged me up and sent me on my way.
Outside the Happenings room, there were snacks and desserts for people who had just donated. There was also a raffle going on to receive prizes! If you answered a question about blood donation correctly, you were able to spin a “Price is Right” type wheel to dictate how many tickets you could put in the raffle, and I won 4 tickets woo hoo! Eventually I received a phone call that said I had won something. I thought my prize would be a water bottle or a pen, but actually it was a gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings! Nice, wings on me!
Overall, it was a great experience and I understand why the Red Cross wanted to partner with students once again. The graduate students did a great job making everyone feel comfortable while still educating people about the importance of giving blood. The Red Cross did a great job of moving everyone along in a timely manner. All in all, the blood drive seemed like a success and I will definitely do it again next year.
Okay that “wings on me” part was a joke….you read nothing….it was all a dream…so don’t call me. 🙂
