Donating blood is good for your karma
Don’t hoard it, you’ve got plenty to spare
Miranda Brookwell
Staff Writer
The slogan of Canadian Blood Services couldn’t be more accurate — blood truly is “in you to give.” One donation takes away no more than 13 percent of your blood, and can save up to three lives.
The body is wired to replace lost blood — the death and birth of red blood cells are naturally occurring processes. Donating blood is safe, but for many people, it can be an odd concept to wrap your head around.
Kirsten Breen, community development coordinator for Canadian Blood Services in Calgary, said that fear of the unknown causes many people to hold back from donating, but everyone can rest assured that the process will run smoothly.
“We have incredibly supportive staff,” said Breen, who recently celebrated her tenth donation and believes strongly in the cause.
“It’s a direct connection you’re making to saving the lives of Canadians.”
Kara Plotnikoff, a first-year Mount Royal University student, commented on Facebook that she believes in donating blood to keep the good karma flowing.
“You never know when you might need your life saved in return!” she added.
Chenise Seibel, also a first-year student at MRU, commented on Facebook that she was disappointed to find that her recent tattoo will require her to wait six months before she can give blood.
However, she plans to donate as soon as possible, and supports her friends who can.
With TV shows and books about vampires showing up left, right and center, the concept of blood donation can seem kind of funny.
It’s important to remember that the power to save hundreds of lives is coursing through your veins as you’re reading this.
It’s a painless process that takes less than half an hour to complete, and it is always in high demand.
Everything from your grandma’s hip surgery (two units of blood) to a bad car accident (50 units) need blood donations.
And if nothing else sells you, they have yummy goodies for free to bump up your blood sugar afterwards.
Keep an eye out around campus and throughout the city for donor clinics, or book an appointment, and help save a life.
