Be the Match

About a year ago I donated blood the first time. I had never donated before and was pretty apprehensive. I watch a lot of "medical" shows and saw how people could faint after donating and I didn't want to be that person. Since I'm anemic I had to take iron supplements and eat iron rich food- which I love!! Salmon and spinach, yes please!! I did all the pre-donation work (I'll explain it a little later here) and I was ready to donate. After my pint bag filled up I felt great and couldn't wait to do it again. I had found a weird love for helping people through blood donations.

Many people need blood donations for many different reasons. Anywhere from surgery, injuries, cancer, liver problems, blood issues, infection,ect. I was 15 and had surgery and my mom had donated blood in case I needed it.  Well it turns out we aren't the same type of blood and in all reality I didn't need extra blood, but her blood went to help another child who had needed blood. 

After my second time donating blood I looked into phlebotomy classes and how I could help even more. I found a class at a local private school and took the class, studied, took certification test and passed!! While I was in the phase of my class where we practiced blood draws on other students, teachers, and family members, I realized I loved this. My internship was done at a local hospital and every day I was there I loved it. It was reassuring to me that I made the right choice. 

Today, I donated some more blood, being 4 times so far in just over a year,the whole process takes about an hour, since you have to check in, have a mini physical (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, iron level, and quick survey to make sure you haven't been exposed to blood borne diseases). After that they hook you all up and you wait for your pint bag to fill up. Depending on how fast "your blood drains" it can be 5-10 minutes. After you have to wait 15 minutes and have some yummy snacks (juice, cookies, chips, nuts, or crackers) while your body starts adjusting to the fact you lost 1/10 of your blood.

 Well today while I was eating my cookies and having juice I heard about "Be The Match" for the bone marrow registry. I had heard about it but never even thought about signing up to be a bone marrow donor. I never knew what it entailed to be a bone marrow donor until I saw it on a tv show. I know people who have needed bone marrow but I never knew how it was done. I read all the paperwork today and decided- why not? I can either be a match or not be a match. It was a painless 4 swab rubs to my cheeks. 1 in 540 donors are matches. It's a slim chance, but if my family member needed bone marrow I would hope that a match is made to help them and if I'm the match for someone I would be more than happy to help. 

For more information visit: Red Cross Blood Donation or Contact a local hospital/Children's Hospital

For more information visit:  Be The Match