I donated blood for the very first time and 1 thing caught me off guard

I donated blood for the very first time and 1 thing caught me off guard Journalist Jess Flaherty signed up to donate blood for the very first time at 35-years-old - and when she got to her appointment, one aspect of the process left her stunned I recently signed up to donate blood for the very first time and after paying a visit to the local donation facility, I was caught off guard by one surprising aspect of the process. Giving blood saves lives and, per the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service, “the blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.” So, at 35-years-old, I thought it was about time I finally got around to donating. I signed up online in a matter of minutes, then had a telephone appointment to go over a few questions about my general health and lifestyle. After that, my appointment was booked. I actually felt a little nervous when I arrived at the donation centre - possibly due to my misjudged parking spot which meant the leisurely stroll I’d been expecting turned into a sweat-induced, panicked rush to get there on time, or it may even have been the looming apprehension about any potential pain I might feel. When you first arrive, you’re given a detailed checklist of health questions to tick ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to, which a nurse then goes over in detail during a consultation at the start of the donation process. Your iron levels are checked via a pin-prick to your index finger. Now, call me a wimp, but this did actually pinch a little. Not anything to write home about but it did up my nerves. A drop of my blood was added to a blue solution, where it floated about like a peaceful little blob in a lava lamp. I found this weirdly fascinating and could’ve watched it for far longer than necessary. Once the donation is complete - it takes around 10 minutes - you’re led through to a rest area where there’s a vast array of biscuits and snacks to choose from and a selection of juices to drink. I indulged in a few orange-flavoured Clubs and was hit with a wave of nostalgia for my primary school lunchboxes which often contained a Club. The incredibly lovely staff then sent me on my way and I sauntered off to the cinema to watch a horror film. Clearly, the theme of the day was blood. I’m a massive horror fan and though I wouldn’t recommend the film I watched (Ice Cream Man), I would recommend donating blood. The entire process took less than an hour and I was stunned by how easy and painless it was. After, I found it my blood type and that my donation had been issued to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. If you’re yet to do it, sign up and give it a go - you could help save some lives. Who can give blood? If you’re “generally fit and well”; “aged 17 to 65 if it’s your first donation, or up to 72 if you’ve donated before (or older if you donate regularly)”; and “weigh between 7 stone 12lbs (50kg) and 25 stone (158kg)”, you can donate blood. You also need to “have suitable veins” but staff will “check this on the day” so it’s not something you need to worry about. NHSBT states: “We need new blood donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.” The organisation needs “4,300 blood donations every day on average” to “meet the needs of hospitals”. It also needs more than “140,000 people to donate blood for the first time this year”, in addition to “12,000 new Black heritage donors, to meet the growing demand for ethnically matched blood for sickle cell patients who need regular transfusions to stay alive”. NHSBT needs “more young people aged 17-35 to donate” - this is to ensure there’s enough blood for the future. If you become a blood donor, you could “save up to three lives in one hour.”