(Originally written: January 19, 2011) Recently many of my friends have been into donating blood. "It's my duty as a healthy Canadian citizen," Karina told me. I commend them in their selflessness and I encourage them to keep up the amazing work! Honestly, to think that even university students can take time from their busy days to donate blood astounds me. Now you're probably wondering where I stand on the whole "blood donating" issue. Unfortunately kind reader, I am not as noble as my friends. Every time I am asked to donate blood I answer the exact same way, "No." It's not that I am not healthy or that I think my blood will be rejected, on the contrary I'm probably a perfect candidate. No it's the simple fact that I am TERRIFIED of needles. I can not stand the idea of blood being taken out of my body! I admit that there's something selfish to this reasoning but reader tell me this. If you had a phobia of spiders and someone asked you to dip your head into a barrel containing black widows, would you do so? Most likely you would not. As for me, maybe one day I'll donate blood! I hope to over come this fear because as my wise friend Karina said, it's my duty.
I need to write this next paragraph about Karina. She is such an amazing young woman and I admire her greatly! She always impresses me in her political correctness and in her ability to remain calm! She is afraid of needles as well but there she goes, donating blood! (Also she puts up with me, enough said.) She never imposes her opinions on anyone, she simply makes them known without being overbearing. She is so loveable and kind and I respect her a great deal. Congrats on donating the whole amount today Karina! Way to suck back those beverages in preparation.
Now for the discrimination I mentioned in the title of this post. Reader, I am currently in my second year of post secondary study and I plan to continue for years to come. As such, I would think it alright to say that I'm fairly well educated. No, I am not the smartest person alive, by all means no, all I wish to say is that I am not ignorant. I understand that the Canadian Blood Services has policies in effect to prevent diseases spreading through donated blood. THANK HEAVENS for these policies! I commend the Blood Services for their amazing work and dedication to the well being of Canadians. That being said, I disagree with one of their policies. My dear dear Reggie is one of the most important people in my life. He is one of my best friends and has had such a big impact on my university career. He, like many of my friends, is pro-blood donation and has tried to donate blood. His blood was rejected. The reason for which it was rejected is his business and I'm not about to post it online but needless to say he is in PERFECT health, has not been abroad recently and has a good iron count.
What makes me so mad (and yes this actually infuriates me) is that the Blood Services are turning away completely healthy viable donors when there are people like me (also healthy and viable) who do not wish to donate! I can not understand that in a world with such a shortage of blood donations and a political view that is gradually becoming more open to everyone, why this discrimination is still occurring! When I first heard about this I was so mad that I didn't even know what to say. Reggie told me not to get upset and that it wasn't a big deal. I apologize Reg but it is a BIG deal and it makes me SO incredibly angry (and also sad) to see this kind of thing happening.
I hope that one day the policies will change but in the mean time I wonder what the best option would be? Should people who have been denied donating blood for reasons that make absolutely NO sense continue to try? Should those of us who do not wish to donate suck it up and just go do it? Honestly I think that's a personal opinion and everyone has the right to that.
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