How has blood donation changed my life, some people may ask. Well to be completely honest it was the most surreal thing I have ever taken part of. This was my first time ever to donate blood, I was super scared at first. Not because of needles or that they would mess up, I know these are trained professionals but it was because I am training to be a phlebotomist right now and I know my veins are very small and hard to locate. I had total faith in the phlebotomist, I just didn’t want them to turn me away. After all that got taken care of and they located a vein I began to calm down, and think about all the people I will be helping. I will have saved 3 peoples lives, So as soon as the time that I have to wait, is up, I for sure will be donating again!! I just recently turned 16, so I was super happy when I could finally donate. When I got the call a week later to tell me my blood type, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I was told “You Erin are apart of 30 % of the population with A+ blood, Congratulations!!! I was so ecstatic I can donate to A+ and AB+. The process it took to donate was a lot, yes, but it is totally worth it and makes me feel so much more comfortable in donating blood. Things are done so sanitary and professional I felt like I was really wanted, the people gave off beautiful vibes, they seemed to lover their jobs. My story may not be wonderful, it was my first time, but it for sure had a very great and deep meaning to me. My whole life I knew I wanted to help people. In what way, I didn’t know for most of my life. As I grew older my grandfather had past away, once that happened I new I wanted to work in the medical field. Doing that I didn’t know how many other ways there is to save peoples lives. My family members slowly passed away as I got older, my mother had gotten blessed with a beautiful baby girl, I was so happy I was going to have a sister. Some time during my mothers pregnancy she had become, border line anemic, she had then fallen in the shower. In which that caused bleeding, She was very close to needing a blood transfusion. After that huge scary thing happened, I knew I wanted to donate blood as much as I could as soon as I could. I knew there was for sure a lot more people like my mother and more than likely a lot worse. As a blood donator your life may not change so much, but to be on the other end, receiving the blood is the most life changing thing I can ever think of. To be to the point of where you need a blood transfusion you are more than likely so scared and you know that with out blood you do not have life. Whether you were in a situation like my mother, just being anemic, or you got into a accident and loss an excessive amount of blood, it doesn’t matter the case. So knowing there is blood for you from all the brave and wonderful people donating, you no you will be okay and you know that your life can change for the better.
My best friend was the one to introduce to me the miracle of donating blood and how amazing the feeling is when you donate. She is 18 and has been donating since she was 16, she has told me her stories after each time she donated blood. Each time would be different so I never got bored, she would come back with the wrap on her arm with a cute little bow. She always told me they treat you so well, they always take care of all your needs. They give you a drink and food, if you become dizzy they help you to the correct position and I am for ever grateful that this institute has people who truly love their job and do the best they can to do everything perfectly. They are not to afraid to ask questions, so they are not just doing things confused. I had the best experience I could imagine, this changed my life tremendously. I want to donate plasma next, donating blood amuses me so much, as a training phlebotomist myself.