Yesterday I donated blood for the first time. I saw a news article noting the shortage in donations during the winter weather fiasco in BC a few weeks ago. In the middle of last year a colleague also sent a friendly email to remind staff at my work about the need for blood donations in Canada. I figured what better way for me to start the year than to go and donate some blood.
Canadian Blood Services has a convenient app to help you book an appointment. It seems like the mobile clinics put up in a gynasium or similar for a single day—quite the feat I think—which allows them to offer donation centres nearby to where you live, but not necessarily every day of the week. This time, the donor centre was about a 10-minute drive from home, not so bad.
Upon entering you go through some identification, surveying, and screening. This is all to make sure you are who you say you are and that you are fully eligible to donate your blood. I was told some of the identification and surveying can be done in advance via the app next time, something I plan to do.
After that, they walked me over to an area of about 8 or so bleeding stations, and sat me down. The staff were extremely polite—especially since I had to wear a 1st-time-donor sticker on my shirt—and explained what they were doing and why throughout the process. I totalled about 13 minutes of bleed time, losing about 551mL of blood.
I took it easy for the rest of the day, and drank plenty of water like they suggested. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it went. I have already booked my next appointment via the app, and will aim to make 5 out of the maximum of 6 allowed visits this year.
