Behind the Blood Drive: My first time donating
After years of promoting blood drives, I finally rolled up my sleeve and discovered how easy it is to make a difference.
For years, blood donations have been part of my job, but not yet part of my own personal story.
As someone who works in Marketing Communications at Cape Cod Healthcare, I help promote blood drives by sharing monthly schedules with local media, town officials and chambers of commerce. I also stop by drives to meet donors, hear their stories and take photos for social media and The Pulse internal newsletter. Listening to why people give has always been inspiring and it made me curious about donating myself.
I turned my curiosity into action earlier this month during National Blood Donor Month.
While visiting the CCHC Blood Mobile at the Harwich Police Station on January 6, I decided to ask if they could fit me in, even though I didn’t have an appointment. They were happy to accommodate. After some quick paperwork and review of blood donation information, I rolled up my sleeve and was assisted by blood donor specialist Krystal White, who sterilized my arm thoroughly before inserting the needle. From start to finish, the entire process went so smoothly and took about 30 minutes—far easier than I expected.
I did feel a little lightheaded afterward, but some bottled water and a selection of sweet and salty snacks helped me feel like my old self again. Since I have more of a sweet tooth, I chose Lorna Doone shortbread cookies!
It felt good to give back—and even better? I received a $5 Cumberland Farms gift card, which is perfect since I drink their iced coffee daily.
After I donated, I struck up a conversation with regular donor Susan Ward. “My husband once needed three pints of blood,” she shared with me. “So I know how important it is to donate.”
A few weeks later, my official blood donor card arrived in the mail—and I finally learned my blood type is A-negative, something I’d always wondered about!
Donating for the first time gave me a new perspective—and a deeper appreciation for the impact behind every blood drive. I look forward to donating again.
