I have been giving blood for 35 years ( a grad school classmate had a blood disorder and needed donations). Many people first give to help a friend and then continue giving to help many strangers. I try to give every 8 weeks.

I have heard people say they were afraid to give blood because they might catch something. Not true, you don't catch anything by giving blood. Recently, a family member gave blood for the first time, for herself, prior to surgery. She was surprised at how easy and painless it was and promised to donate blood in the future.

In my area, blood is often needed most at holidays. They say people are busy so donations are down at those times. Often people travel on holiday weekends and there are more traffic accidents, upping the need for blood.

My most moving donation story is 9/11/2001. I waited, with many others here in New Orleans, LA, USA, for 8 hours at the blood center to give blood for the victims of the world trade center. I met people who had never donated blood before but wanted to do something to help. Sadly, there were few survivors...

If you are a healthy person, giving blood is a simple way to help others. In addition, donating blood once a year covers my family with free blood product for a year should it be needed.