I am or am trying to be a regular blood bank donor. There are various reasons why a person chooses to donate blood. It is an altruistic donation that is made not for the accolades but the knowledge that giving something of yourself is possibly saving a life. It is hard for many of us to think of giving blood during a pandemic, yet this is the time that donations are falling short.

In an interview with a representative from One Blood, I learned that colleges, universities, and high schools make up 20% of the monthly donations to the blood supply. The "Big Red Bus" is usually parked on the campuses and students and faculty can enter at their leisure to donate. The campuses closed in early spring and the blood centers are scrambling to figure new ways to remind those that donated to find a location, make an appointment, and continue to give.

I wondered, why of all the tax credits that are available for the average taxpayer, why not blood donations? Yes, you can get reimbursed for other charitable donations, like your car, furniture, clothing, and even food. So why is it not an option for blood donations? Even people with rare blood do not have the right to write off the value of their donation on their taxes.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, a taxpayer can give a monetary contribution to the American Red Cross and it is deductible, however, blood is not. The main issue is there has never been a monetary value placed on blood and if a donor can benefit or direct how the donation is distributed the donation is not considered allowable.

The tax code does not consider the human body to be property and does not permit deductions for contributions of services. To allow a deduction, the IRS would have to allow deductions for contributions of services or classify the human body as property. Many will say the government already considers our body's property, yet this is a slippery slope, especially for women when it comes to who has the rights over their bodies.

There is another way to get a monetary benefit from being a blood donor. A tax credit that reduces your tax liability. Like an earned income credit or other credits that are based on a certain criterion, it would be tracked by a tax software or a form from your local blood center that shows how many times you donated blood to the bank. Not giving anyone a bigger financial benefit based on blood type, health, or financial status.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is not in favor of giving any financial benefits for donating blood. Their main and probably one of the best reasons is the chance of receiving blood that is not viable for use. There is a good chance many would lie about their health to donate and get reimbursement. The saying "Blood Money" is a common term in the WHO and curtailing the concept of financial gain for not only blood but organs as well as their main concern.

Of course, the blood shortage is a reality, and we are preoccupied with the pandemic, social distancing, and the rules enforced by our government officials. As the One Blood representative explained, the youth of this country is our blood source and just because the convenience of donating is not there, the habit to give blood regularly should be a part of their routine. Each of us should find easy and accessible ways to hold a blood drive. Ask your community leaders to contact their local blood center and plan a drive. Go online find a bus, or center and make an appointment. There is no time like the present to give the gift of life.