One Pint, Please

I gave blood for the first time this year. I’m 17 now so I’m finally old enough to donate without needing a parent’s signature. The Red Cross came to school, and since I’m part of teen CERT, I already knew how important blood is during emergencies.

Right when summer started, I went to Stanford Blood Center, thinking I would try donating platelets or plasma. My father is a regular platelet donor; he gives all the time. I found out platelets are especially important for cancer patients because they help blood clot, which is something chemo can mess with. But here’s the catch: not everyone can give platelets. It depends on your blood type. I will know my blood type in a few days after giving blood. Unfortunately, because I’m still 17, I can’t give platelets until six months after my last blood donation. I believe that I have to wait too for plasma donation. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that is used to treat burn victims and immune deficiencies.

So, for now, I’ve given one pint of blood at Stanford, but it won’t be my last.

While the nurse was taking my blood, I spotted a leaderboard. Some people had donated more than 300 times! That inspired me. One day, I want to be on the leaderboard too. Maybe even help behind the scenes on their student board, spreading the word.

It only took about an hour. It didn’t hurt. And it might save a life. Totally worth it.

I wonder. Can Mako give blood?

How about you? Can you?