by Roger Crain

Created on: March 03, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

According to the American Red Cross, "Giving blood is giving life." Yet, there is a disproportionate number of Americans who will fail to heed the importance of that statement and thus, shirk their responsibility when it comes to being regular donors. Their reasons may vary from the mundane to the specific, but they often cite a commonality of concern when it comes to giving blood. Those reasons will be delineated in this article in order to give you some idea of the disparity that exists between donors and nondonors.

Out of the 6 million donations that the American Red Cross takes in on an annual basis, there is still a shortage of blood that that agency provides to hospitals, clinics and laboratories throughout the United States. Thus, their blood drives are often held at several locations several times per year. This is often confounded because of the apathy or lack of concern on the part of the nondonors.

I Don't Like Needles/I Am Afraid of Needles or I Am Afraid of giving Blood

Unless you have been living in a cave all of these years, there is absolutely nothing to fear about giving blood. In fact, Once you are educated to the humanitarian service that the Red Cross provides to the public, those fears will quickly melt away. All you have to do is contact your local Red Cross and start your orientation about the donor process as to your earliest convenience.

I Am Too Busy

Being Busy is also a lame accuse in shying away from giving blood. It doesn't take much time to visit your local Red Cross and find out for yourself how you will ultimately be saving lives in the long run.

No One Ever Asked Me. . . I Didn't realize My Blood Was Needed

This is as lame as the aforementioned reason; yet, people would actually give that as their reason for not donating their blood. It is a reason that has become an escapist's alibi of getting out of a very simple process.

I Have Already Gave This Year

These people fit into the special category that they would give more, but... their singular donation of one pint to them is enough; so why give more. I have news for you: You can safely give blood every 56 days.

I Am Afraid I'll Get AIDS

When you give blood, you come in contact with trained personnel who knows how to safeguard those danger zones and avoid the risks of contacting AIDS or other contagious diseases. The ARC uses disposable syringes; every donor who walk through their portal to donate blood have their veins pierced with a separate needle.

My Blood Isn't The Right Type

Now this is a winner: It is not a matter of having the right type of blood, it's a matter of being willing to give. In fact, If you are "O-, then you can safely donate to any group because your category is "The Universal Donor." Also, being O+ qualifies you to donate to those patients who has the very rare blood type of Rh.

Finally, I hope I have given you enough valuable information that will ignite a kindred spirit in you to give blood, for if you don't then who will.

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