Giving blood was totally easy and painless, says reporter Scott MacLennan who adds ‘there were zero unpleasant side effects’
A single donation of blood can provide help for up to three people in need, so when you take into account that all giving really involves is filling out a simple multiple choice form, answering a handful of questions and then lying down for 15 minutes it begs the question: why wouldn’t you if you can?
I would have loved to share a heart-rending story about my great courage in volunteering, but I can’t - despite boring my colleagues in the week before donating about what a great sacrifice I was about to make.
Attending at Dingwall Leisure Centre on a recent Tuesday afternoon the first thing that struck me was the range of people there to give in the constant, fast moving queue.
There were both sexes and all ages, from young men to retired women, many accompanied by friends for what looked to me like a regular get together.
The process of actually giving blood is perhaps what gives most people pause, so I will get to that first – it was really fast (under 15 minutes) and didn’t hurt at any point: and this is from someone who really hates needles.
Afterwards there were zero unpleasant side effects beyond, perhaps, my evening whisky carrying a little more potency than normal.
The run up to the actual donation was as swift as the giving. I was asked a range of questions related to blood health, all discussed in private in small booths at the side of the hall and none of them too embarrassing. I heard at least one woman laughing raucously with reference to grandchildren.
Beyond this moment of levity, though, I don’t think anyone could miss the fact that some of the people there to give blood were doing so for reasons that were deeply personal and deeply felt.
I saw at least one man clearly straight off a work site say how much he hated needles - he joined me in studiously looking the other way as the blood was being taken - but he did it anyway, presumably because he saw it as the right thing to do.
And it is. Without over egging the pudding you do think you’ve done your bit - something we all should do in whatever small way we can.
Giving blood is one of the most important - and most anonymous - things you can do. Giving blood, you don’t know where it goes; receiving it, you don’t know where it comes from.
But that statistic is worth repeating: one pint of blood (actually slightly less than a pint is given) could actually save three lives.
A variety of donation sessions are held regularly at the Inverness Blood Donor Centre based at Raigmore Hospital.
Further community sessions are scheduled for Moray Sports Centre, Elgin on February 3; The Duthac Centre in Tain on February 11; Aviemore Primary School on February 12; Invergordon Leisure Centre on February 18; Glen Urquhart High School in Drumnadrochit on February 24; and Nairn Community and Arts Centre on February 25.
Highland News and Media wants to bring 5000 people across Highland and Moray in to give blood between now and Easter. Join our campaign to give blood and save lives. Book an appointment to give blood at www.scotblood.co.uk, or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
