I’m one 36 percent of Canadians with type A+ blood. And while that’s a pretty common blood type, it’s still one that that gets asked for on a regular basis.
Back in university, I first donated blood one Valentine’s Day – there was a cute promotion that asked you to come in and donate with the one you loved, so we did. But for some reason, I never went back. That is, until a couple of years ago.
Canadian Blood Services says that approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. In fact, according to a recent poll, 52 per cent of Canadians say approximately 850,000 units of blood annually.
I’m still not sure what made me agree to it when Canadian Blood Services called me out of the blue – it wasn’t something that my family did, for a variety of good reasons. But agree I did, and headed out to my local town hall to answer what felt like a zillion questions about my health and lifestyle. Deemed an appropriate donor, I then waited with others until it was my turn to have my veins poked. What surprised me, as I looked around the room, was the average age of those waiting with me. There couldn’t have been anyone under the age of 45 in the room. I didn’t give it too much thought until I returned several times at semi-regular intervals over the following months. The demographics didn’t change.
It made me wonder why. What stops younger people from giving blood? Although the questions are a little invasive, it’s easy to do, doesn’t take too much time out of your day and if you donate at dinner time, there’s usually pizza on the table, alongside the more typical juice and cookies!
This last time I went to a blood donor clinic, there was one young man who skewed the demographics. Looking hardly old enough to be there (you have to be 17 years old to donate blood in Canada), he bravely rolled up his shirt sleeves, and did his part to ensure the blood supply for those who need it. I wonder if he’ll be back. I hope so.
What about you – do you give blood?
