I gave blood for many years until a bout of cancer put me on the forbidden list. As of this week I am five years cancer-free and can donate once again. There will be a special blessing next week when I give thanks for having been passed over by Azrael this time around.
The first time I was a little nervous because of fear of the unknown. After that it was no big deal.
Why do I do it? Quite simply, it saves lives. Every time you do it it saves lives. This isn’t the 1900s where they went looking for family members to donate in special operations. The system absolutely depends on a stable, predictable supply of blood. If that exists the hospitals will have what they need when they need it. If they don’t they will be able to get it from nearby in minutes. If people don’t participate in blood drives that will not happen. The blood will not be there when it is needed. People will die. When someone needs blood there isn’t time to go door to door asking everyone if they have the right type and then to get them to the clinic and then screen the blood and then type and cross-match it and… well, you get the idea.
Another reason I give – a bit more selfish – is that I may need it some day. If people don’t support the system it will collapse.
EDITED