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In the States it happens on Black Friday, in Canada, it hits us December 1st. You can't go anywhere without seeing red ribbons and evergreens. Lights start climbing front porches and flyers start increasing in size to accommodate for all the gadgets and trinkets available for that person who has everything. Yep, it's Christmas. Aside from being bombarded by ads to give the perfect gift and make it a memorable one this year there are those of us who start thinking about our one good deed for the year. Where can we toss the spare change we've got jangling in our pockets? Who can we donate the twelve cans of water chestnuts we have sitting in the cupboard since the last stir-fry party? What do we do to keep that warm and fuzzy feeling alive?
 For many people, the word alive takes on a whole new meaning this time of year. Those who are trapped by the confines of an illness, or find themselves in the ER while the rest of us wine and dine are probably hoping-praying-that the one gift you chose to give this year, is the one that will save their life.
Blood. Yeah, okay, I can see your mouse rising to the back button. Stop! Ack! Read on. Hear me out. Let me throw some numbers at you that I've wrapped in my latest witticisms and beautifully strung-together sentences. Let me ask you if you know anyone who's had cancer, or heart surgery, or been in a car accident. Do you know anyone who's delivered a baby via c-section? Let me shock with the number fifty-two. That's the percentage of Canadians who know someone who has needed blood. Think of all the people you know. Divide by half. Have I raised your eyebrows yet?
Blood, like most of our other organs and tissues, can't be reproduced synthetically. But, unlike organs and tissues, you can donate blood and be guaranteed that someone will receive it. The cool thing is that you have more blood than you need, and blood regenerates. Every four months we've replaced all the blood cells in our bodies because that's one of the really cool things our bodies do. Get ready for shocker number two: only three percent of eligible donors in Canada donate. That means that in a country of thirty-four million, just over a million people are making sure that the rest of us stay alive. So three out of ever hundred of us will actually park their keisters in a recliner and count the dots on the ceiling for ten or twelve minutes in order to donate.
I get it; there are people who have legit reasons to not donate. But you say you have a fear of blood and /or needles, you're not able to fit it around your schedule, or you already gave once and it's 'not for you'. But consider the people who have no choice but to rely on your generosity to save their lives. No one expects to be in a car accident, serious diseases like cancer are difficult enough even with an adequate supply of blood, and a young mother who experiences complications from labour is scared enough as it is. You can choose to help save these people. It is that simple. Put your fears aside, clear up room in your schedule and decide to be generous with your own life.
 We don't think about something like this until we're faced with its reality. And really, who wants to walk around all day think about bleeding disorders. But the truth is, our population is getting older and so are the hard-core donors. Every year Canadian Blood Services is having a harder time keeping up with hospital demands. Only half of first-time donors return, even when eight out of ten said their experience was a good one. We can donate once every two months, or six times a year. Doesn't sound like a big number but it makes a difference. Personally, I've been on all sides of this cube. I've worked in Transfusion Medicine departments of hospitals; I've been at a bedside of a dying family member who needed blood; I've taught the subject, I've sat in the recliner, and I've doled out the cookies to others who have donated when I couldn't give.
Christmas is a tough time of year, we're all busy. We've got stuff to do, cook, buy, clean, whatever. We're constantly going places and checking off our own to-do list. Our time is precious. But it's only an hour, one hour to step out of the rush of this crazy season and give someone else another lease on life. And if you do have fears about donation, talk to the health professionals at the clinic—they are incredibly knowledgeable and committed to making your experience comfortable. And you know what the best part is? No spare change or cans of tuna required.
For more information to donate in your area, please visit www.blood.ca. Make an appointment today!
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