Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Month? Why not start off the New Year right, by saving a life?
According to the American Red Cross, January as been known as National Blood Donor Month since 1970. I know a lot of people are squeamish about giving blood. The veins, the blood, the needles. I get that. I used to be a little creeped out by the idea of giving blood myself. But that all changed when I started giving after I turned 17. I’ve now donated blood (and platelets) many many times and I can assure you it’s not as scary as it seems.
Just drink plenty of fluids the day before, eat a hearty meal the day of, and stay lying down until you feel OK to sit up.
As an added incentive (if you need an incentive, more than saving a life!), many blood drives offer little perks or prizes for donating. Over the past few years I’ve received, tee-shirts, Starbucks gift cards, Mets tickets and more. In fact, the NY Blood Center offers a “Donor Advantage Program” which gives you a certain number of points per donation. Save up those points and you can trade them in for prizes and charitable donations. I’ve even heard of some states where it’s legal to get paid for donating blood.
So, if you have a few minutes and a big heart, pop by your local blood donation center. I don’t know any other way you can save a life in less than an hour.
Do You Give Blood? Have You Received any Neat Prizes for Giving?
Image: Nardel Gervacio
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John S @ Frugal Rules
January 18, 2013 at 1:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I forgot that was this month. I have given a few times myself, however I can’t all the time because I tend to be a little anemic. To me anything I get is just an added bonus as I think it’s a pretty important thing to do.
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I agree, the real “prize” is saving lives
DC @ Young Adult Money
January 18, 2013 at 1:08 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I do not give blood : ( I am very thankful for those that do, though. I MIGHT try it once, but overall I just get anxiety about having blood drawn…maybe if I try it a few times the anxiety will go down?
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My ex-bf passed out in the chair giving blood (after I convinced him it was “no big deal” and “you’ll be fine). It was so scary I cried, and I’m not usually one to cry. it isn’t for everybody, but if you can, you might want to give it a go.
Mackenzie
January 18, 2013 at 1:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve never given blood because I have a hard time quelling my anxiety when I have to have blood drawn. Needles…. But that being said, this is important to do and maybe doing it will help with the anxiety.
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:39 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s not something that everyone can or should do (I “get” the anxiety completely). I used to think that I might not be able to do it, but after a few times it now is no big deal.
Tackling Our Debt
January 18, 2013 at 2:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have never given blood either, but I do understand the importance of it. My husband use to until he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The first couple times are pretty weird and scary, but once I got past that I’ve been fine ever since. I try to give every couple of months, but get busy and forget sometimes. It’s kind of weird, but I want to get one of the “gold” membership cards for giving a certain number of donations (can’t remember how many it is off hand).
Brian
January 18, 2013 at 4:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I cannot give blood because I keep traveling to countries with malaria and thus have to wait a year. Seems when ever I get close I always end up going somewhere that excludes me for a while… Oh well someday I might stop traveling…
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:43 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s a great reason not to give. I wish I’d traveled enough to not be able to give. My sister spent 2 years in Africa and is permanently banned from giving.
Monique
January 18, 2013 at 7:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I did once in college… I had just started weighing over 110 pounds at the time (which is the minimum you have to weigh to donate blood) and I was excited to donate for the first time. I felt great and walked up the stairs from my schools gym to our cafeteria, where I ended up passing out. I’m sure being hydrated and eating well beforehand might prevent that from happening again. After that, whenever we hosted a blood drive on campus, I just volunteered my time to staff it!
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:44 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The first time I gave blood I passed out too. Since then I’ve learned that I have to eat a lot and drink a lot the day before and of. I also always ask for a cold compress for my head/chest. That seems to work wonders.
femmefrugality
January 18, 2013 at 10:07 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
At least one school district in our area has a scholarship fund for its students that their blood drives support. For everyone that donates, some company contributes some money. Pretty amazing. When I was in high school every time you donated got you an hour off of detention. :p
KK
January 19, 2013 at 9:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow that’s really amazing and such a good incentive. Re: the detention, that’s hilarious. I know several people who would have needed to give a lot of blood
Gen Y Finance Journey
January 21, 2013 at 12:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I give blood regularly (and was going to write a post about it as well, maybe I’ll wait a few weeks
) and receive a free movie ticket every time I go. The blood center I go to has regular promotions with all sorts of freebies, but my favorite is the ongoing movie ticket Mondays. Sometimes they’ll have little parties going on at the blood center with music and food, which is always fun as well. But even if you don’t get any freebies out of it, you always get free cookies and juice!
Survivor’s Standouts 1/20/13-Back to School Edition » Student Debt Survivor
January 20, 2013 at 5:28 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
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