Blog Post #1: The Blood Bank

Back in February of 2020, when I was getting ready to finalize my plans for that summer’s volunteer opportunities, my Job Coach and I decided to explore an opportunity with the Blood Bank.  

Lots of people need blood donors.  People may need surgery, or as a result of an accident, they require blood.  The Blood Bank is an organization that screens potential donors, runs regular blood drives, collects blood and blood products to distribute where needed.

They were looking for volunteers to run the recovery centre.  After you donate blood, it’s important to rest for a bit and have a snack or some juice.  This happens in the recovery centre.  My Coach and I would be responsible for maintaining the centre, keeping the supplies well stocked, maintaining the space, and making sure that the donors were looked after and doing well.

After talking it over with my Coach, I decided the best way to understand the process was to become a donor myself.  First, I had to answer a very long questionnaire, with some very personal questions.  Once it was explained to me that the questions helped them to screen my blood and my privacy was maintained, I understood.

I was accepted as a donor, and then I went to work.  I lay on a special bed, quite cozy and rolled up my sleeve.  The nurse told me I had good veins, and exactly what they were going to do.  They inserted a small needle into my arm to draw the blood.  The needle was hooked up through a tube to a blood-collecting bag.

It seemed to take no time at all, until they had the required amount.  They withdrew the needle, bandaged the arm and sent me to the recovery centre where a special treat awaited me.

It was a very positive experience and it is one of the best ways to directly help other people.  Not everyone can donate blood, but if you can, you should.  You never know whose life you might be saving.