My first Blood Drive experience was this past Monday, September 23rd, at the annual Kelsey Fuqua Memorial Blood Drive! This experience started out with me not planning on giving a pint of my blood. But as I was selling "Super Jace" gear for the Poncio family, I kept hearing a voice in the back of my mind saying "DO THIS DUSTIN! IT SAVES LIVES!!!" While this voice was very prominent I decided to just ignore it. That was until my mind starting showing me pictures of Jace & other children that have been diagnosed with Childhood Cancer. I finally told myself "DO IT FOR JACE!"
So I did! I signed up. My heart was beating so fast that the lady who was recording my pulse told me to CALM DOWN! But I was nervous. I now realize that it wasn't about the needle, it was about the fact that these people were going to take my blood & CHANGE/SAVE HUMAN LIVES with it! That was exciting yet nerve-wreaking! Was I going to be able to give? What will they tell me? Who's life will be changed because of my blood? All of these questions where burning inside my mind!
When I got to the table I told myself "YOU CAN DO THIS! DON'T SCARE YOURSELF! YOU ARE DOING THIS!" & as the needle entered my arm, I felt an enormous amount of appreciation for the people that actively donate blood! I can only imagine where my bloods going!
I know one thing for sure... I will be donating again!