"No one has ever asked me to donate."
 | Consider yourself asked. Blood comes only from people. It
can't be manufactured. Your gift could mean life for a sick child, an
accident victim, or an elderly person facing surgery. |
"I gave blood voluntarily, but then the Red Cross turned around and
sold it."
| We do recover part of the expenses of collecting, processing and
distributing the blood. Hospitals often pass this cost along to their
patients. But most medical insurance companies usually cover these
costs. |
"I'm scared to give blood."
| Nearly everyone feels that way the first time. Donating blood
becomes a habit with some people. A few regulars have donated hundreds
of times. It's not a big deal. |
"My insurance covers the blood I need."
| Dollar bills can't be transfused. Blood has to come from
people. That blood that your insurance covers came from a blood
donor. Your blood is needed by someone else. |
"I don't like the Red Cross."
| The Red Cross doesn't profit by your blood donation, hospital patients
do. Do you have anything against them? |
"I already gave this year."
| Thank you. If it has been at least 56 days since your last donation,
you are eligible to donate again. You blood isn't any less valuable
for a patient the second time around. |
"Other people must be giving enough blood."
| The need for blood is constantly increasing because advancements in
medical procedures and technology create more opportunities for its use. |
"I don't have any blood to spare."
| The average adult has about 10-12 pints of blood in his/her body. If
you're healthy, you can spare one pint. |
"I'm too young."
| If your at least 17 you may donate. In Illinois, if you're 16, you
may donate if you have your parents written consent. |
"My blood isn't the right type."
| Every type is the right type. |
"They wouldn't want my blood because of the illness I've had."
| There will be a nurse at the blood drive who can decide your
eligibility. If you doubt your eligibility, sign up anyway and ask the
professional staff member at the drive. |
"My blood isn't rich enough."
| We have machines to check that before you make your donation. If you
can't spare any blood, we won't take it. |
"They'll take to much and I'll feel weak."
| Have a well-balanced meal before you donate and have something to eat and
drink afterwards, and you'll do fine. Most people go about their
normal activities after they've donated. |
"I'm afraid of being turned down."
| There's no shame in being deferred. You may be medically deferred
for any number of reasons. If you are, try again at another time. |
"It's too inconvenient to donate blood."
| We try to make it as easy as possible. It only take about an
hour. You can make an appointment at a location that's easy for you. |
"I'm too busy."
| Too busy to help save a life? Think about what you're busy doing and
compare it with the humanitarian gesture of a blood donation. |
"I'm too thin."
| If you weigh 110 pounds or more, you can be accepted. |
"I gave once, but when I needed blood, we had to recruit special
donors."
| Sometimes "special" donors are needed to provide a particular
component for a patient. |
"I didn't realize my blood was needed."
| It certainly is. Every minute, 10 units of blood are needed in
hospitals across the county. |
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