Driggars: Amid a blood shortage, I faced my fears and gave for the first time

Until last week, I had never donated blood before.

Despite annual community blood drives, calls for donations amid occasional blood shortages and the heart-warming knowledge I could save someone's life, I couldn't bring myself to give. For years, I was just too afraid.

My mom Denise is selfless. She has always cared about others more than herself, so she's never hesitated to give a bit of her blood to someone who needs it more than she does. I remember as a kid growing up in Plainview, my mother would be there any time the United Blood Services (later renamed Vitalant) bus would roll into town.

One rainy fall day in 2004 or so, Mom and Dad loaded my brother and I in the car and took us downtown to the Unger Memorial Library. The library was hosting its annual Thanksgiving blood drive, and my mom was going to give as she had many times before.

I remember this occasion going horribly wrong. As I think back, I see the needle disconnecting from the tube, blood squirting everywhere and my mom dramatically fainting. This is what has sparked my lifelong fear.

My mom told me in a recent phone call that much of that memory was fabricated or dramatized. But her experience still wasn't a good one, and it prevented her from donating for years after.

"I almost passed out on the table. They were almost done getting the pint of blood, and I don't think I had eaten enough that day," Mom said. "When they were drawing the blood, I felt woozy and almost passed out. They thought they were going to have to stop the donation."

Related: Center declares emergency blood shortage after drop in donations, rise in need

They got the pint, and my mom recovered after applying ice packs to her back and chest and resting for the rest of the day.

"And one of the guys was really rude to me because I didn't eat nothing but oatmeal. He rolled his eyes at me."

That's all I needed to hear to convince me that donating blood was not really for me.

But one evening a few weeks ago, I was watching the local news on TV, and my journalist friend Brittany Crittenden aired a report about an ongoing national blood shortage. She reported donor turnout is at a 20-year low.

I watched as regular donors explained why they gave, how donor blood has been a lifeline for their loved ones, and how the small pain and inconvenience of giving pales in comparison to the experiences of those with chronic illnesses or traumatic injuries. I listened as Brandon Baker, senior recruitment manager at Vitalant, explained the critical need for lifesaving blood this time of year.

And I felt convicted.

I thought, "Who am I, a healthy, comfortable guy, to withhold something that could save the life of someone who is probably neither healthy, nor comfortable, simply because I was afraid of a bit of discomfort and potential inconvenience?" So, I met up with Brandon, and we talked about it.

Baker told me Vitalant, the organization that provides blood to all of our local South Plains hospitals, has only a few days' worth of blood on hand. He eased my fears and reminded me to eat some snacks.

"It's a lot easier than you think it is. People can get nervous because there's needles involved and things like that, but it's a quick, easy process," Baker said. "It doesn't hurt like you think it's going to. It's a quick pinch, but that quick pinch can go to help a new mother in the hospital, a newborn baby, a person who's been a victim of trauma or an accident, a surgery patient.

"There are so many reasons why a person might need blood, and you have the power and the ability to do a small thing that can make such a huge impact in their lives."

Fine. My righteous guilt has convinced me. I donate. I find I had nothing to be afraid of.

The process was quick and easy, and Vitalant's kind staff members Sandy and Shanna kept me laughing and guided me through every step. The donation was over in minutes. It didn't hurt, and I didn't pass out. The worst part was that my finger was sore for a day or two from the finger prick.

I'm glad I gave, and I think I'll be back in a few months to do it again. If you've never donated before and you can, I hope you will. If you're afraid, send me an email and I'll go with you.

All you need to do to donate is to feel healthy and bring a valid ID. You can make an appointment at bloodhero.com or simply walk in to the donation center at 2523 48th St. in Lubbock.

Alex Driggars is a reporter covering government, education and public policy for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. He can be reached at adriggars@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Driggars: Amid a blood shortage, I faced my fears and gave for the first time