For many years now, I’ve been a donor of blood products at the Canadian Blood Services (formerly known as the Canadian Red Cross).
Like most donors, I started by donating whole blood – my first donation was at age 18.
I realized early in the game that it’s not everyone who is cut out for blood donation – in fact, if you’re feeling a little queasy just reading this, you’re one of those folks who should probably stay away from the venipuncture area.
Don’t despair, however – there are a number of ways that you can give to the Canadian Blood Services if you’re looking to contribute to the program that may have kept you or a close relative or friend alive at a critical time, or if you just like to do something for others.
Here are some of the ways you can give to the Canadian Blood Services:
• Whole Blood
• Plasma
• Platelets
• Bone Marrow
• Financial Gifts
• Blood for Research
• Volunteer in the Clinic or the Kitchen
• Much more – see the Blood Services Volunteer page
For the past few years, I’ve been donating platelets every two weeks. If you’ve checked the “Platelets” link above, you’ll already know that plateletpheresis is for patients with prolonged bleeding associated with some diseases (e.g. cancer, hemophilia). My cousin died of leukemia when I was barely in my teens, before all the fancy pheresis programs were even around. When the opportunity arose some years later to personally (and anonymously) help someone with leukemia by donating some of my platelets, I jumped at the chance; I’m sure cousin Linda would have approved enthusiastically.
Over the years, I’ve donated whole blood (my first dozen or so donations) as well as plasma and platelets — I just passed the 250-donation mark about a month ago, and I hope to continue until the maximum donating age of 70.
[The compulsory waiting period between donations is 56 days for whole blood donations, but you can donate platelets more often - every 14 days (plasma too) - because the body replaces both platelets and plasma very efficiently and quickly.]
During my time with my Blood Services “extended family”, I’ve also worked as a volunteer in the clinic and in the kitchen (“Would you prefer a chocolate donut or some Oreo cookies with your juice/coffee?”) and a phone canvasser (calling to remind folks that they were eligible to donate when the supply of their particular blood type was low).
Canadian Blood Services
— Please consider donating your blood or your time!