Reflections on Giving Blood

I started giving blood in 2025. I thought I would reflect on that and write why I think more people should donate blood.

I considered donating blood for a while. I'm a healthy 41 year-old and saw the ads about why it was needed for a long time. I thought about the need and how I could help with it for a while before I finally did it. I wasn't scared of needles, because I gave plasma years ago (don't tell my mom).

My main obstacle was that didn't know how long it would take or if I could fit it into my schedule. I haven't been deferred or had any slow downs since I started (I have seen people deferred). It takes me less than 30 minutes from the time I walk in the door to walking out. You can only donate blood once every 2 months or so, but you can donate platelets more often.

I didn't know anyone who talked about donating blood. I have been surprised by the number of people I know that I see when I donate. 

I found it really meaningful after I donated blood the first time when someone in our church mentioned needing blood after a surgery. I realized that I might have helped with that. I usually know someone facing cancer, and many cancer patients get platelets as part of their treatment. Without donors, then there are no blood or platelets.

Blood and blood-related products are worth a lot of money. Hospitals pay $150-300 for each unit of blood. There are costs that the companies that collect the blood have to pay to get it, check it, and ship it. Since it is worth so much, I don't feel bad accepting the prizes or gifts that they give. I'm wearing a sweatshirt right now from the local blood bank.

If you are healthy, you should consider donating. If just 6% of age-eligible people donate instead of the current 3%, then the blood supply would double.

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About Me

I'm a husband and father. Pastor of Manchester Baptist Church in Manchester, IL. I graduated from Bryan College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I grew up in Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, and Georgia. I write about my personal and professional interests here on my website. I'm a former personal trainer and have stayed interested in fitness. You'll see a mix of things I'm interested in. Topics might include fitness, gardening, coffee, ice cream, church leadership, theology, tech, reviews, etc. This website is my social media. I deleted all of my accounts except for LinkedIn. That is why you won't find me in any of those places. * This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. You can email me at joe[...
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