Examining Excuses for Not Donating Blood

I have given blood for quite a few years. For me, it seemed quite easy and would result in someone's life being saved. I had no questions or hesitations about first donating blood. When the donating was not a positive experience, it was not due to the donation, itself, rather to the surrounding circumstances. For example: once I had committed to donate blood. I had walked to the donating site approximately an hour before they were slated to close. When I arrived, they turned me away: saying that they could no longer accept donations because they had a shortage of equipment. I walked back home. Another time, I was denied entrance into a blood mobile due to my service dog. Eventually, that decision was over turned, but I had to wait for fifteen minutes. I delayed my public transit system, waiting for their final decision. Other times, workers could not find my vein. I felt that it was a wasted trip. Yet, I continue to make my attempts at donating because I believe in the cause. There are those who give excuses as to why they will not donate blood. Many of them don't hold much weight.

Giving blood does not take much time or effort on the donor's part. . It is interesting to note that people would rather give their money, time, advice and or other resources than to donate that precious sustenance of life. My family is not known for their altruism. In fact, they are quite skeptical of volunteering, etc. They are much better at giving excuses than their blood. . . Here are some of the common excuses that people give for not donating their blood.

We all know someone like my father. He has never been online, does not give his social security number out to anyone, and he would never pay a bill via an automated service. In fact, he dislikes leaving messages for others on their voice mail or answering machine. He does have a cell phone, but has never sent a text. He is a navy veteran who is skeptical of the Government and their policies. Coming from the Navy, you would think that he would be willing to give blood. But, he is worried about his privacy. Not only does someone have to stick a large needle in his arm and draw out his blood, but the forms that he must fill out before giving blood offend him enough to make his blood pressure rise to unhealthy heights. I have given blood long enough to remember the forms being quite a bit longer and tedious. But, people like my father still feel as if someone has intruded into their most intimate experiences. They don't agree with the policy of the strict adherence to proving one's identity or the intrusion of asking for their social security number. My father complains: "you offer an inch; the Government wants to take a mile." Furthermore, such people like my father support their claims by saying that no one will be honest about these very intimate details, anyway. So, it is pointless to ask about one's sex life. "If you want my blood, take it, but don't pry into my personal life." Of course, the questions are a matter of safety and will give the blood bank clues to a possible risk. I am not sure of the reason behind assuming an alternative identity to give blood, but I don't mind proving mine.

My sister and her boyfriend, however, have a different reason for not giving their blood. They are fearful that any blood tests might reveal that they have been consuming illegal substances. I tried many times to reassure them that the blood bank does not test for narcotics. Yet, they are still hesitant. Furthermore, they report that no one would want their blood because it is contaminated anyway. My sister is studying to be a medical assistant; so hopefully, her policies on blood donations will change.

My mother has a similar excuse for not giving blood. She confesses, with a sigh of relief, "They would not want mine." She is a heavy smoker, has had a small stroke and a mini heart attack and feels that her blood is not pure enough for the people who might need it. I remind her that we are not harvesting her organs; just extracting the essential life saving characteristics of her blood. She does not see the difference. I realize that she now has medical issues that warrant some concern, however, she has rarely, if ever, given blood. So, her medical condition is just the veil to hide her discomfort.

My daughter does not see how one pint of blood would make a difference, anyway. She minimizes her contribution because she has never needed blood and can't imagine a situation where someone needs blood but there is none in the bank. If she ever does give blood, it will be a "once a year," contribution. She does not feel that she should give more than that because she thinks that the bank probably has lots of blood that it is not using. Especially since her blood type is so common. There are probably several donors with her blood type. When I mention that there are probably an equal amount of people who need blood that have her blood type, it does not convince her.

One of my sons is frightened of needles. And, let's face it; those blood bank needles are not small. I have attempted to change this policy, yet, it remains. I am not sure why they use those large needles. The only reason that I can come up with is not a comforting one. Are these blood bank workers minimally trained and unable to handle a smaller needle? Well, I'm increasing my son's fear, at this point. Analytically speaking, a large needle does not hurt any worse than a small one, but fears are rarely rational and it is useless to attempt a persuasion from a logical framework. My desire for smaller needles has nothing to do with my low tolerance for pain or Aichmophobia (The fear of needles). This change would aid them in locating and extracting blood from my elusive veins. Although this will not reduce the pain or the fear, it would prevent some of us from being poked several times all be it, in altruistic yet unsuccessful attempts to withdraw blood.

I know that there have been many rumors and folktales about someone who has given blood and has caught a disease because the blood bank equipment was not cleaned properly. You can alleviate these fears by displaying the process of sterilization. For these people who are concerned about these issues, I would recommend avoiding the blood mobile. It is all about the illusion and maybe they would feel more comfortable in an open environment. The back of one's van typically is not very clean, so it is an issue of association.

Some claim that they are too busy. In response, the Blood Bank has offered drives at various times during the day and at convenient locations. They encourage you to give during your lunch hour or as soon as you end your work day. In actuality, it does not take much time to give blood. Some people report that if you make an appointment, it even goes faster.

The hospital no longer accepts blood donations privately. All of their donations come from the blood bank. Thus, the report that you gave at your hospital is a faulty one.

One suggestion that I will give to the blood bank is to "make it local." Make every attempt to find workers from the area that you are going into. One suggestion for the blood bank is to delegate staff from that area to be blood drive personnel. Maybe a couple of nurses from the local hospital can supervise the operation. Since local people most often have come into contact with these nurses, it would make them feel much more comfortable about giving their blood.

I have often wondered why the Blood bank is not present during Health fairs and other health events. I think that they could find a willing public to donate. They could distribute their information and also build up their bank. If they wanted, they could also give away a couple of door prizes, in the spirit of the Health Fair.

People can think of many excuses for not giving blood. While it is important to try and counteract these reasons, when it is all said and done, the reason to give blood should outweigh any of these concerns. There is really only one great reason to give blood and that is because it will save someone's life. I don't know whose. I don't know when. I don't know how. I just know that my blood is needed. Not for experiments, not for Science, but to help real people. I am AB- and I know that my blood type is rare. But, I am sure that someone may need it at some time. I choose someone's life over my temporary inconvenience.