6 people died today
I went to donate blood today, as I always do almost as soon as I'm eligible again. I do it because it saves lives, because sick and injured people are lying in hospitals right now, dying, because they need an operation that requires more blood.
Today was the first day I went to donate, and was unable to save lives.
I tried to give two units of blood by using an automated machine (which I had done twice before), but this machine was different. It was supposed to cut the donation time down from 45 minutes to 25. All that really happened was 6 people died because they couldn't receive my blood.
Maybe it was my fault, and I didn't squeeze hard enough or relax when I was supposed to. But since when is donating blood supposed to feel like a video game? I had to watch an interactive screen, and squeeze and relax based on colored bars moving up and down. The thing started beeping, lights went off, Sheila kept coming over and hitting buttons. At one point, after Sheila had already asked me if my arm hurt, she then said to me, when a bunch of lights were going off, "Really? And that doesn't hurt?"... almost implying that it was SUPPOSED TO hurt. And even when she finally hit the button to stop it because my arm was bruising, she said, "Why isn't this working?"
There are many people that would never come back if they had an experience like this.
2 big reasons why I left upset, and am still extremely upset:
Today was the first day I went to donate, and was unable to save lives.
I tried to give two units of blood by using an automated machine (which I had done twice before), but this machine was different. It was supposed to cut the donation time down from 45 minutes to 25. All that really happened was 6 people died because they couldn't receive my blood.
Maybe it was my fault, and I didn't squeeze hard enough or relax when I was supposed to. But since when is donating blood supposed to feel like a video game? I had to watch an interactive screen, and squeeze and relax based on colored bars moving up and down. The thing started beeping, lights went off, Sheila kept coming over and hitting buttons. At one point, after Sheila had already asked me if my arm hurt, she then said to me, when a bunch of lights were going off, "Really? And that doesn't hurt?"... almost implying that it was SUPPOSED TO hurt. And even when she finally hit the button to stop it because my arm was bruising, she said, "Why isn't this working?"
There are many people that would never come back if they had an experience like this.
2 big reasons why I left upset, and am still extremely upset:
- All the marketing keeps stressing how every donation saves lives (3, to be exact), and they highlight specific individuals who would not be here today if it weren't for blood donors. So obviously every single donation counts.
I did not see that same level of care today with the woman who was taking my blood (or trying to, anyway). Do they take it seriously enough? Do they realize that if they make a mistake, they could cost someone their life? If every pint counts, like they say (and I believe them when they say it), then the people taking your blood need to start acting the same way. - 6 people will lose their lives over the next 112 days, and I have to wait 112 days before I can try again.
Labels: life, responsibility, service
posted by Dave at
9:10 PM 
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