Saving Lives One Pint at a Time

Hooray for me! I donated blood yesterday. This is a pet cause of mine, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to do so as well.

Husband and I donate to charities of course, but we're not particularly rich, and therefore not able to contribute vast amounts. I'm glad to know my drop in the bucket is helping to fund their next donation drive. But nothing charitable I've done to date has felt so good and affirming as when I donated last summer and a week later received a little postcard from INOVA Blood Services that read, "Congratulations, you saved a life today!"

I almost wanted to frame it. My half hour spent in the chair that cost me nothing and got me free cookies and OJ meant that someone was alive who otherwise might not be.

INOVA's got a system in which they barcode the bags of blood at the time of donation, and the barcode connects back to your information in their computers. Once they use your blood to save a life, they scan the code and the postcard is sent out. It's genius: instead of donating whatever to some amorphous entity and trusting that your efforts will reward those in need and not just line someone's pockets or fund the next batch of free address labels, here is real feedback that your contribution made an immediate difference.

I've donated with various services since I was 17. I'm O+, so I figure it's sort of my civic duty, like voting, even though my blood can only be used for half of the blood types out there (O can go into anyone, but positive can only go into positive). I gave up on VBS after they sent a newbie to my college who completely botched it - the blood did end up coming out of my shirt, but still. I have no beef with the Red Cross except that they send humorless drones to work their blood drives. But I mainly donate to INOVA now because I know my blood will be used locally.

So if you ever get into some horrific situation and end up in the ER, just remember, it could be me that's keeping you alive.