I donate blood. My wife doesn't understand why.?

Question

I have donated blood most of my adult life. My wife is from a different country, and doesn't understand why I do it- she thinks there is a risk, and I can't convince her that people aren't selling it.
I have tried to explain to her the need for doing this, but she acts upset. I love my wife, and just want to make her happy...but I feel sort of obligated to donate ( i just donate when the bloodmobile comes to my office quarterly). Do i worry too much about the little things?
This probably is a stupid question, but my wife's feelings (even little ones) mean so much to me.

The risks she thinks are involved are AIDS, Hepatitus and other blood diseases.

She speaks English very well. I think her feeling is the blood is sold, because there seems to be a market for it overseas. I'm not sure, is money involved here? i just do it to help...I've been told that just one donation can save three lives.

The thing the woman said about it feeling good when you body is making new blood is totally true. The night of donating I feel really tired, but the next day I feel like I could conquer the world. Food (especially melons) taste extremely good.

Answer 1

What you are doing is right and your wife's fears are irrational. Why don't you see if you can get some literature from the blood-drive people about the safety of the procedure and about where the blood ends up.
There is no risk in donating blood as you probably know. The illnesses your wife is worried about were the results of transfusions before doctors knew of the dangers and started taking precautions. However blood donation is a totally different and completely safe process.

Answer 2

The risks involved are for blood RECIPIENTS, not blood donors. Direct her to the Red Cross website and she can see for herself that there's no risk to you and that the blood you donate goes for a good cause. It's nice to take her feelings into consideration, but don't stop doing an important service because your wife is misinformed. Let her know that you want to do this and why. Reassure her that there is no risk to you and that you will continue to help others in need.

Answer 3

Do you know anyone in the medical profession from her country that might be able to explain to her why there are no risks. I don't know if she speaks English, but is it possible that in her former country, the message got misunderstood and then passed to the others that here was a risk?

Just a thought.

Answer 4

yes because i bet in the country she's from people are sold for their body parts [i saw it in an episode of NUMB3RS]... she might not agree to this because she has been traumatized... i dont think she's going to understand, does it bother your wife as much as it bother you???
maybe you could find a documentary or something about blood donating... that way she can clearly see the process and then maybe see it your way.

Answer 5

You might direct her to FDA site listed below. She might not realize the extent of the testing and screening thats done to prevent that sort of thing. She might not also understand the great benefit of this charitable behavior unless she sees statistics of how many are saved.

Answer 6

she really does not have to understand.
Tell her fresh needles--they trash them.

TELL HER S-LOWLY.
Or take her with you and let THEM tell her how important it is for people in accidents, or surgeries, or having babies (Hard Labor) or drive-bys, or murders ---to get blood---You get my drift?
Let them explain it to her.

I would give ANYTHING to be able to give blood, because they say when your body is replacing it--you feel very good.
Not even to mention that you helped someone else.

I WOULD IF I COULD!