Scared. My high school is having a blood drive.?

Question

My high school is having a school wide blood drive in a couple of weeks. I just turned seventeen so am old enough to give blood and I weigh enough, but I am terrified of needles. I feel bad not giving because it is for a good cause and there are a lot of people that want to donate that are unable to. I was just wondering if someone could explain how the process works, if it hurts, how much it hurts and how to get over my fear. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Don't be scared. It isn't painful at all. When you go in to sign up to give blood, tell them about your fears. They will have a very experienced nurse draw the blood. You lie down on a table and they roll your sleeve up. Then they tie a little rubber hose looking thing around your arm so your vein will be more easy to see. They will insert the needle and you won't feel anything after that. They attach the bag to collect the blood in and will check on it to see that the blood is flowing properly. Don't look at the needle or the bag if it makes you queasy. It is an excellent cause and there are so many who need blood. The blood banks all over the country are down and in need of donations. You could be saving a life for a few moments of anxiety. Bring a friend to talk with you during the blood draw and it will take your mind off it. After they take the blood (not a long time; maybe 15 or 20 minutes), they will give you a drink of juice and a donut or something to snack on. You will feel fine. (Oh, and I would suggest that you make sure that you drink fluids before you go in. At least three or four glasses of fluid during the day because the blood flows much more easily when you are hydrated.) Do this wonderful thing and you won't fear it anymore. I promise you that it is not as bad as you are thinking it will be. Be brave and do a wonderful service to those in need. Thank you for having the courage to go through with this.

Answer 2

I'm 17 also and I gave blood in a high school blood drive for the first time this last November. I was also really scared because I've had bad luck having blood drawn at the doctor's office in the past. However, the people were really nice and it went well! The needle goes in quickly and though it hurts at first, they give you a little sponge to squeeze the rest of the process is pain-free. Afterwards you get a bandage and you basically feel no pain. Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing you saved three lives! Make sure you drink lots of water and eat raisins or veggies at some point before giving blood, that's what I did because it keeps your iron levels high which you need to give blood. I actally felt so good about what I did that I ended up giving blood again a few days ago. The second time was just as easyas the first. Don't be scared, it really doesn't hurt. Good luck!

Answer 3

The process is pretty simple. Initially you are given a set of screening questions (answer them honestly, they are confidential). If you pass the screening questions, you get your finger pricked to make sure your iron count is high enough. If your iron count is high enough, you get to go over to a table to donate. The initial poke of the needle hurts a little, but not alot (a little more than a mosquito bite). After that, you just wait until you are done filling your "bag" and then you are done.. You will go over to another area where you get juice and cookies to recover and then you get to leave.

If you are going to donate, I would recommend drinking a lot of water the day before and the day of (it helps you "bleed" faster). Also, cut back on caffeine and greasy foods the day before and the day of. Make sure you eat a good meal before going in to donate. You will feel better afterward.

I am also scared of needles, but I donate every 8 weeks and have been since I turned 17. I think it's one of the few things I can do to help others.

I'm not certain how to help you get over your fear, the best thing I can suggest is to look away (don't close your eyes) when they poke you with the needle.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Giving blood is nothing worse than getting a shot.
You will have to fill out some paperwork, then you sit in a chair or lay down. Then they give you a small poke and take a pint of blood. After that you get juice and a snack. Done in a few minutes. Your one pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. They understand you are nervous but it is such a worthy donation they will make sure nothing happens. Most of the people working are well experienced and you usually don't even feel the needle.

Answer 5

basically, they put a tiny need in your arm which is attached to a tube, which in turn, is attached to a bag. once the nurse gets the needle in, there is little pain. however, some nurses have difficulty in finding the vain to take the blood from. so, if the nurse has to insert the needle in several places before finding your vein, it may be slightly painful.

the pain feels like a moderate pinch. but when i say a pinch, i mean when someone else is giving you a moderate pinch. if you pinch yourself, it's unlikely to hurt very much because you'll stop before it hurts.

overall, i don't think you should go through with it. when people came to my school to give blood, many were scared, and only a small minority of those who were scared ended up going through with it. it's nothing to be ashamed of. you can volunteer in a hospital or soup kitchen if you feel the need to make up for not giving blood.

good luck :)

Answer 6

It hurts only when the needle first goes in...like a little pinch. That's really it. Don't you ever go to the dr and have to have blood drawn? It's like that....they just take more blood I guess. Think of it this way....you'll be saving a life. The person who will benefit will most likely going to be in a lot more pain than you'd be with a little needle prick. However, I doubt that you HAVE to give blood so if you don't want to, then don't. It's your choice.

Answer 7

How much it hurts depends on the person doing it. Some people who draw blood are very good at it and you hardly feel a thing, others have not had enough practice at it or are uncaring in how they treat you. So it can end up hurting, sometimes quite a bit. At least for me. But it's over quickly. You won't go home writhing in pain or anything. lol

But if you don't want to participate, don't.

Answer 8

well i have been donating blood for a couple of years now and it does not hurt. they might first ask for your information (name, phone #, address, s.s, etc.) second they well check your weight, temp, sugar level, and if your anemic. and last your donating blood (it doesn't hurt) it might take 10-15min. but since it is your first time and your scared when they get ready to puncture you talk to them and look the opposite direction, it helps.

good luck and thank you for your kindness
Nessa

Answer 9

Just think of the free cookies and juice you'll get afterwards!lol

Answer 10

i totally agree with you dont force your self to do something that isnt comfortable for you! try giving something else to make you feel good about your self!