I went on Facebook to change my profile picture and cover photo and saw an advertisement for OneBlood. I had never heard of OneBlood before, but I have often donated blood through the American Red Cross. I read the OneBlood ad, and it mentioned receiving a $20 gift card and, at some places, a t-shirt. I put in my zip code, and it only indicated Publix in Ocala on March 30 and a place in Leesburg on April 2. I thought, "Too bad they are not closer and besides those dates are still two weeks away."
My cover photo was of Travis, and as I was changing it out to some water-colored flowers, I wondered if they had tapped into his blood deposits as he lay dying. Travis was an avid, card-carrying blood donor, which was really odd considering his fear of needles. I would check next month to see if the OneBlood bus would be in a location closer to my home. I changed out the pictures and did not think any more about it.
An hour later, I had just finished my second two-mile walk outside for the day and thought to myself, "I should go to Walmart and get stuff for a banana split, and some food that can be eaten without electricity in case of a power outage." We are expecting the possibility of severe weather in our area this evening—comfort food might be nice! I have been really practicing acting on a thought quickly instead of having to convince myself and going hours later. I looked at my bank balance and decided I would worry about how to replace the money later. I planned on spending $20 buying the ingredients for the dessert and for some type of wraps. I grabbed my keys and headed to the store.
As I pulled into the Walmart parking lot, there in front of me was the OneBlood bus! I recalled the ad mentioned walk-ins, so without hesitation, I parked my car, took a deep breath, and opened the door marked "Enter." As soon as I saw the guy, I knew this entire thing was orchestrated by Travis. I felt an immediate calm. I filled out the paperwork, answered a ton of questions on a tablet, made only one slight mistake, and once approved, I was directed to sit on one of the reclined donor seats.
There is usually trouble getting my blood taken or an IV inserted. Years ago, I had to have my blood drawn rather often, and time and time again, my arm would be bruised after their failed attempts. I do not know what it is about my veins, but today was not much better. My blood did not flow as expected! They were really nice, though—kindness does ease discomfort! It took some time, and my fingers got pretty sore pumping the stress ball nearly the entire time! They finally got enough blood out of me! He stuck on a band-aid and wrapped my arm in a bandage. At that point, I was really proud of my accomplishment, so I took that courage one step further and, on my way off the bus, I offered both of them one of my blog cards.
For my donation, I was given two $10 gift cards for Walmart! Even though the rain had already started, I decided to still go in the store. I moved my car from the back of the parking lot, got out my umbrella, and headed inside. I knew I had to be quick in case the storm was imminent! I grabbed the food I needed and headed to the checkout. The total order—$20.12. It cost me only twelve cents after redeeming the $20 in gift cards that I had no idea I would even be getting today! This is a prime example of how God works!
What is OneBlood?
OneBlood is a nonprofit blood center that provides blood donations to hospitals across the southeastern United States. Their recognizable Big Red Buses travel to various locations, making blood donation convenient. Donors receive a wellness check, including blood pressure, pulse, and iron levels, and their blood is tested for multiple infectious diseases. Results are accessible online a few days after donation.
OneBlood regularly offers donor incentives, such as gift cards, t-shirts, movie tickets, and other promotional items. These promotions encourage donations and provide a small token of appreciation. While these are a great bonus, the most important reason to donate is the lifesaving impact. A single blood donation can save up to three lives.
Why Blood Donation is Important
Blood cannot be manufactured; it must come from donors. Hospitals rely on blood donations for trauma victims, cancer patients, and individuals undergoing surgery. The need for blood is constant, yet only a small percentage of eligible people donate regularly. Blood donations are always in demand.
Organizations including OneBlood use blood donations for research purposes, along with providing it for medical treatments. Donated blood can be used in a variety of ways.
Medical Research: Blood donations can help researchers study different diseases, medical conditions, and treatments. For example, researchers might use donated blood to understand the effects of certain diseases like cancer, diabetes, or infections.
Testing and Quality Control: Donated blood is often used to test for new blood storage methods or improve blood transfusion techniques.
Development of New Therapies: Blood donations can also be used to develop and test new medical therapies, including those related to blood disorders or immune system diseases.
Training Purposes: Blood is used in medical schools or training programs to help educate healthcare providers, including doctors and nurses, on blood transfusion procedures and techniques.
However, organizations like OneBlood are transparent about their use of donated blood and prioritize patient care and emergency needs. Blood donations for research are generally handled with strict guidelines and consent processes to ensure donors understand how their blood will be used. If you are ever unsure, you can ask about how your donation will be utilized when giving blood.
Eligibility Requirements
Donors must be at least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the state.
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Donors should be in good health at the time of donation.
Donation Process
Registration – Donors provide identification and complete a short questionnaire.
Health Screening – Basic vitals are checked and medical history is reviewed.
Donation – The process typically takes 8-10 minutes for whole blood donations.
Recovery – Donors rest for a few minutes and are provided with a snack and drink.
Blood Types and Their Importance in Blood Donation
My blood type, as well as Travis', is O-negative, which is the universal donor for red blood cells. This means my blood can be given to anyone, regardless of their blood type, making it especially critical in emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type. O-negative blood is in constant demand, particularly for trauma victims, newborns, and those with rare blood conditions. However, when it comes to receiving blood, I can only receive O- blood. This is because O- blood has no A, B, or Rh antigens on the red blood cells, which makes it compatible with all blood types for donation, but can only receive from the same type, O-, to avoid any immune reactions. Only about 6.6% of the U.S. population has O-negative blood, making donations from O-negative individuals incredibly valuable.
Blood type plays a crucial role in determining who can donate to whom. There are four main blood types— A, B, AB, and O —each of which can be either Rh-positive (+) or Rh-negative (-), making a total of eight different blood types.
Blood Type Compatibility for Transfusions
Type O-: Universal donor for red blood cells (can donate to all blood types).
Type O+: Can donate to O+, A+, B+, and AB+.
Type A-: Can donate to A-, A+, AB-, and AB+.
Type A+: Can donate to A+ and AB+.
Type B-: Can donate to B-, B+, AB-, and AB+.
Type B+: Can donate to B+ and AB+.
Type AB-: Can donate to AB- and AB+.
Type AB+: Universal recipient for red blood cells (can receive from all blood types).
Universal Donors and Recipients
O-negative (O-) blood is in the highest demand because it can be given to anyone, regardless of their blood type. It is especially critical in emergency situations when there is no time for blood typing.
AB-positive (AB+) blood is the universal recipient, meaning individuals with this blood type can receive blood from any donor.
Plasma donations work differently. AB plasma can be given to anyone, making AB plasma donors highly valuable.
Blood Type Distribution in the U.S.
O+ – 37.4% (Most common; in high demand)
O- – 6.6% (Universal donor; critical for emergencies)
A+ – 26.3%
A- – 6.0%
B+ – 8.5%
B- – 1.5%
AB+ – 3.4%
AB- – 0.6% (Rarest blood type)
Why Blood Type Matters for Donations
Knowing your blood type helps determine how you can contribute. O-negative donors are especially needed, but all blood types are important since hospitals must maintain a diverse supply to match patients accurately. If you do not know your blood type, donating blood is a great way to find out! Organizations like OneBlood and the Red Cross provide donors with their blood type after donation.
Every blood type saves lives—consider donating if you are eligible!
Religious Views on Blood Donation
Blood donation is a personal decision, and for many, religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping their views on the matter. Various religious traditions offer different perspectives on the practice of blood donation, and these views are often based on interpretations of sacred texts.
Christianity: Most Christian denominations encourage blood donation, viewing it as an act of compassion and a way to help those in need. While most Christian faiths do not oppose blood donation, some branches, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, have specific teachings regarding blood. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible commands them to abstain from blood, including in medical treatments like blood transfusions. Therefore, they do not accept whole blood donations or the major components (red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma). However, they may accept blood fractions, such as clotting factors, if they do not contain the main components of blood.
Islam: In Islam, blood donation is generally permitted, as it is viewed as a charitable act that can save lives. The practice is not explicitly prohibited in Islamic law, and many Muslim scholars emphasize that saving lives takes precedence over other considerations. However, some caution is advised regarding the intent and method of blood donation, with a focus on ensuring the act is done for the benefit of others.
Judaism: In Jewish law, blood donation is typically allowed and even encouraged as an act of charity, or tzedakah. The value of saving a life is highly regarded in Judaism, and blood donation aligns with the mitzvah (commandment) of preserving life. However, some Orthodox interpretations may have specific requirements regarding the way blood is handled, and it is recommended to consult with a rabbi for guidance in these cases.
Hinduism: Hinduism does not have a specific prohibition against blood donation. In fact, the act of donating blood is considered a selfless and compassionate act, aligning with the principle of ahimsa (non-violence). Donating blood is seen as an offering of one's resources to help others, in line with Hindu values of generosity and kindness.
Buddhism: Like Hinduism, Buddhism encourages acts of compassion, and donating blood is often seen as a generous way to help others. The act of saving lives aligns with the Buddhist principle of compassion, or karuna, and can be seen as a way of promoting the well-being of others. There are no specific prohibitions against blood donation in Buddhist teachings, although individual Buddhist practitioners may have their own interpretations based on personal or cultural beliefs.
The Impact of Blood Donation
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Accident victims, premature babies, and individuals with chronic conditions depend on the generosity of donors. Many people assume there are enough donors, but blood shortages happen frequently. It is a simple act with a profound impact.
A single decision to donate can be the reason someone’s parent, child, or friend gets another chance at life. If you are eligible, consider donating. It costs nothing, takes very little time, and could be the answer to someone’s prayer.
Thank you, OneBlood! I will be seeing you again! Hopefully my blood will flow better!
Proverbs 4:23
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
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