My first time I donated blood to Arkansas blood institute was actually for extra credit for my microbiology class. My teacher wanted our class to do something better for society as a whole and gave each person an extra percent for every time we donated blood. So for the first time I walked into young ball room where Arkansas Tech allows the blood drive to take place. It was very pleasant experience and was greeted warmly by the front desk workers and was offer a free drink along with a snack.
I only had to wait for about 10 minutes and they took to me to a computer where I had to feel out a lengthy survey. It took about 20 minutes to complete the entire thing along with the conversation afterward. Next they poked my finger with a needle to get data about my blood which hurt more than the actual needle itself. Since my blood type is B+ they wanted me to donate platelets which at the time I had no idea what the difference was between donating platelets, plasma and whole blood. I agreed because they said they were lacking Platelets at the time and said I would be really good for donating it. So I went ahead and agreed to donate my platelets.
So they lead me over to a huge machine and ask me to set down. Next this really nice nurse came up to me and cleaned me up and put the needle in my arm. For the next hour I was just sitting there as the machine centrifuge my blood to separate the platelets, plasma and red blood cells. It was rather weird to feel when the rest of my blood was pumped back into my body. It was a cool sensation and felt like my whole body drop a little bit in temperature. While this was happening I was just talking to the nurse for a bit asking why they rather have me due platelets instead of whole blood. She told me that platelets were in way more need then whole blood and they can get two to three time the normal amount then with whole blood donation. I also learned a lot more information about what they do with the blood that I donated.
Eventually the machine finally beep singling I was done. The nurse than came to me and took me off the machine. From there they gave me a pack of cheese it and sprite. Then they ask if I was feeling light headed or anything else and I said I was fine. Next I got a cool shirt that I still wear to this day. It’s quite comfortable. I learned a lot from this one donation I did and it made me want to do it even more so now I donated Platelets on a regular basis at the red cross. It’s also makes me feel really good to help save people lives. And thanks to you guys at the Arkansas blood institute for help saving the life of my sister who had a rare blood disease. Who life was saved do to constant donation of platelets for about 3 months of treatment. So this was all do to your help and I want to say thank you for conniving me to donating blood and I’ll do my best to keep donating till I can’t anymore.