An Opportunity to Give. (Blood.)
Throughout my younger years, while all the other little girls dreamed of becoming ballerinas and Betty Crockers with their glittery fairy wings and easy-bake ovens, I dreamed of giving blood.
Okay, I didn’t. But! I still thought it was an awesome opportunity my freshman year, when the blood drive bus came through.
I’d never been a fan of needles, but then again, this was no flu shot! It was an opportunity to give something I had plenty of for someone who didn’t have enough. Great, right? Plus, I’d get one of those “I gave blood" stickers, and a Little Debbie’s oatmeal cream pie. Score!
I waited in the line next to the Graf Clinic, filling out paper work, listening to the low hum of the blood drive buses, and watching my friends shuffling in and out of the buses with smiles on their faces.
Then it was my turn! I was escorted into the bus and to a little room where they started prepping their equipment.
Boy am I brave. I wonder if they’ll have “The Crown of Blood-Giving” up in glory someday…
Nurse: “You were in England in 1993?”
A polite young worker was scanning my papers.
Me: “Oh. Uh, yeah. I was born there.”
Nurse: “Ohhh. That’s when the Mad Cow disease was prevalent in the UK. Unfortunately, we currently have no way to test your blood and see if you were affected by it.”
*screeeeeeeeeeeeech*
Me: “Uh…so…”
Nurse: “I’m sorry. Maybe try again for next time!”
“MOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” I bellowed as I trudged back out of the bus.
No, no, I didn’t. You may be interested to know, however, that they gave me an oatmeal cream pie anyway. Haha…
The point of saying all this is not to leave you thinking about the opportunity I missed, but of the one you can have! I faced something I thought would be terrifying, and instead, found myself wishing I could join in the cause.
If you are able, I would encourage you to give blood! The bus arrives on campus next to the Graf Clinic October 8th and will stay through October 10th. What an opportunity to get involved and to literally “walk out of your doorstep” and change someone's life!
0Anna Grace
Major: Performance Studies
Home town: “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through...” Also, my dad is in the Air Force.
View all posts by Anna Grace
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