I’m going to be upfront about one thing in particular. I’m scared of needles. Deathly, irreversibly, very afraid of needles-- or at least, I was. I’m the type of person that the nurses have to hold down to stick with a shot, I’m not going to lie. There could seriously have been horror stories written about me being a patient in a pediatrician’s office near you. Yeah, I was that bad.
My high school in Scottsburg, Indiana held an annual (or maybe bi-annual) American Red Cross Blood Drive like clockwork each year. I heard about it when I was 15, but couldn't give until I was 16 and had parental permission. The day I went in to give blood for the first time, I remember both of my parents texting me and telling me that they were proud of me. I even took a picture, which seems silly to me now. Within an hour, I had lost some blood but was no worse for wear.
Thankfully, the fear I felt that first time and every time after never lessened my will to give. At this point, I think I’ve given blood four or five times in only a few years. Now I don’t hesitate when told that there’s some shot or another that I have to have, which is a miracle in and of itself.
I specifically remember a few of the times I’ve gone to give blood perfectly. Once, one of the women talked to me about my favorite books. Another time, I got a walk-through of what it takes to become a Phlebotomist, which is what the job description of the women drawing blood is. Both women were kind and treated me nicely when I was nervous.
The most recent time I went, on June 21st, I asked about phlebotomy again and was given a walk-through and description of each device used as I was giving blood. The woman who drew my blood was amazed that I got done so quickly and I didn’t have the heart to tell her that even after so many times giving blood, needles still make me a tad bit nervous.
Because of the step that I took to become a blood donor, I’ve realized that some things you think are scary are never really as bad as they seem. I’m now signed up to the bone marrow registry, another thing that scares me. There are bigger, more painful needles or course, but they cause a bigger, more important change in someone’s life.
I’m glad to be able to give as much of myself as I can in an attempt to make the world better than it was before I came along. The way I see it, if you don’t make the world a better place throughout your life, then what are you doing with your time?
Giving blood, donating bone marrow and volunteering are ways that I try to help my community. Being brave that one day and giving blood has led me into a life of giving and I will always cherish the chance I have to be a better person.
