Blood donations can be a satisfying experience for each donor. They can say that they have medically helped someone or even saved someone's life. Every minute of everyday, someone in Canada needs blood. Furthermore, one blood donation can save up to three lives. Donating blood may also reduce the risk of heart disease in men. Plus older people may feel invigorated after donations.

According to the Canadian Blood Services, these medical treatments need the specified units of blood. One unit = one donation.
Coronary-artery Bypass 1-5 units
Joint Replacement 2-5 units
Cancer Treatment up to 8 units
Liver Transplant up to 100 units
Fractured Hip 2-5 units
Brain Surgery 4-10 units
Auto Accident up to 50 units
Gunshot Wound up to 50 units.

But there is a down side to blood donations. Each and every donor is putting himself or herself at risk for mental agony. Take myself, for example. I had donated blood on a regular basis for several years. I was up to over 70 donations when I received a false-positive on a donation. The equipment is so sensitive that it does produce these results. My blood proved to be clean, but it is the policy of the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) that all such donors will be prohibited from donating any more blood.

So I have missed out on donating blood for the last 20 years. And I would have had at least another 10 years to go. The one thing in my life where I really felt I was making a difference was taken away from me because of a false-positive test. I have written letters, contacted politicians, and talked to officials at the CBS. No one cared enough to help me. And more disturbing, is that no one cared enough to help those who I could have saved.

Learn more about this author, Gary Betts.
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