Donating blood can be a stressful experience, but it doesn鈥檛 have to be. Health and Wellness Services debunks听the top five reasons people don鈥檛 donate blood.
Fear of needles
If you have a fear of needles, you鈥檙e not alone. Many people avoid donating blood because of their fears. However, if you鈥檙e willing to spend a few minutes facing your fears, you may find that the satisfaction of making a donation is well worth it. In fact, your single blood donation may help to save as many as three lives.
听Donate blood,听save a life
CU Boulder is hosting a number of blood drives at the Rec Center in February and April. Find one that works for you.
February
Tuesday, Feb. 5,听9 a.m. to听2:30 p.m.
Ice Rink Overlook Meeting Room
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to听1:30 p.m.
Studio 2
Thursday, Feb. 7, 9 a.m. to听2:30 p.m.
Ice Rink Overlook Meeting Room
April
Tuesday, April 9,听9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.听
Ice Rink Overlook Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ice Rink Overlook Meeting Room
Thursday, April 11, 9 a.m. to听2:30 p.m.
Ice Rink Overlook Meeting Room
If you鈥檙e still concerned about donating blood because of your fear of needles, consider bringing a friend with you for support or distract yourself with music during the donation process. It鈥檚 also a good idea to hydrate before your appointment to make the process as easy as possible.
Having the wrong blood type
It鈥檚 true: Some blood types are more versatile than others. It鈥檚 also true that all blood donations are valuable and can be life-saving for those in need. Blood centers experience shortages of all blood types throughout the year, so it鈥檚 important you donate regardless of your blood type.
Being disqualified from donating
There are many reasons why you could be deferred from giving blood. Some restrictions are permanent, while many others are temporary. Keep in mind, though, that the criteria for acceptable blood donations are constantly changing, which means that even if you鈥檝e been denied in the past, you may be eligible now!
Check out for a full list of donation criteria to see if you鈥檙e eligible.
Passing out
Most donors feel fine after they鈥檝e completed the donation process. Nevertheless, if you do feel faint or fatigued, be sure to alert the donation staff and remain seated until you feel better. Come prepared with a small snack and bottle of water to help you recuperate. The uneasy feeling should go away in a matter of minutes!
There are enough people donating already
Nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than 5 percent of those who are eligible actually do. Having a small and infrequent number of donors can often lead to shortages, especially in rural areas. Donating blood during CU Boulder鈥檚 upcoming blood drives could help save a life.
