Saving Lives with the Bloodcenter of Wisconsin

Post date: Oct 10, 2017 6:42:59 PM

By: Chloe Schmidt, Staff Writer

Posted October 10th, 2017

On Tuesday night, my dad texted me asking if I wanted to donate blood with him the next day at Northbrook Church. I was a little hesitant (mostly because it was a school night) but nonetheless, I accepted. I always wanted to donate blood- somewhat because I wanted to save lives, but mostly because I wanted to know my blood type.

I’ve wanted to know my blood type for a while now, mainly because I’m afraid of an emergency happening and I want to be prepared. The doctors office told me that I need to have a test to know my blood type and that test costs money. When we transferred our files to a new doctor, they told us the same thing, adding that the best way for me to find out my blood type would be to donate blood.

My dad and I made Bloodcenter of Wisconsin accounts that night and signed up to donate blood the next day. The next night we arrived at the church to donate blood. Even though my birth year was one the choices when I signed up (even having a 2002 option) one of the nurses told me I couldn’t donate. She said that I don’t weigh enough for my height-which I found unusual, because according to the school chart when the blood drive comes around, I did weigh just enough to be able to donate. After a lot of researching on the Bloodcenter of Wisconsin’s website, I discovered I was just three pounds less of being eligible to donate. She then said that I could donate when I’m nineteen- I’m unsure about that, because it’s not like I’m going to weigh a lot more then than I do now.

Although I couldn’t donate blood, other people should. Blood is used for several types of medical procedures, each one just as important as the last. The Bloodcenter of Wisconsin’s blood goes to over 50 different Wisconsin hospitals- who knows, the blood you donate could go to someone near you. On a lighter note, they give out stickers.