At school today i donated blood for the first time.

I signed up for 9:30, so i left class at 9:25. I went down there and read the information and got a number (27). When i sat down they called #25. i had friends with me who were numbers 26,28,and 29. When the doctor called me back i gave him my parental consent form, showed him my school ID and had to answer some questions. Then he stabbed my finger and took a test to see if i was infected or had a low hemoglobin and approved me getting my blood drawn. (him stabbing my finger hurt worse than the initial blood drawing!)

Then they checked my arms, decided on my left, and had me sit in a chair. Then one of the medics had one heck of a time finding a vein (I apparently have deep veins). Then he had me do some arm exercises to get my vein to pop up. He marked it with pen, smeared the area with iodine and stabbed. (i looked away). Then i watched the blood leave my arm, it was pretty neat. I had to move my fingers every few seconds to help with blood flow (they had me squeeze something).

Probably 10 minutes later they disconnected me,showed me the bag, and had me slowly get up. Then i went and had some juice and cookies and had to sit for 10-15 minutes so i wouldn't have any problems. After that they had a girl escort me to my next class just as an extra precaution, because they already had a girl faint and someone else throw up. (And to make sure i didn't lift my heavy backpack with my left arm). I arrived in class at 11:10.

I wouldn't say it was fun, but I would do it again no problem