10 Excuses Not to Donate Blood

1. "I'm afraid to give blood."
   Most people are the first time, but if you just take the time (and courage) to make one donation, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated. There's really nothing to it!
2. "Other people must be giving enough blood."
   You can gamble your life on that assumption, but please don't gamble other people's lives. What a tragic and useless waste it would be if someone died because people did not care enough to donate blood - if they left it for someone else to do.
3. "My blood isn't the right type."
   Every type is the "right" type. Both rare and common blood types are needed all the time.
4. "They wouldn't want my blood because of the illness I've had."
   If you have doubts, the staff on duty will review your medical history with you.
5. "I don't have any blood to spare."
   If you are reasonably healthy, you have 10 to 12 pints in your body. You should be able to give one pint regularly every 56 days (up to 6 times a year) without any problems.
6. "My blood isn't rich enough."
   Everyone who donates undergoes a mini-physical exam which includes a hemoglobin test for anemia. If you are deferred because of low hemoglobin levels, most people donate another time without any problem.
7. "I'm afraid of being turned down."
   If you are medically deferred, that's okay. At least you tried. It may only be a temporary deferral, so try again later. The need for blood will never run out.
8. "They'll take too much and I'll feel weak."
   The amount taken is less than one pint. Besides, your body makes new blood constantly. In fact, the volume you give will be replaced within 24 hours. Most people just continue their usual activities after donating.
9. "I didn't realize my blood was needed."
   It certainly is. The Northern California Region serves hospitals in a six-county area. To meet the transfusion needs of patients, approximately 350 units of blood are required daily.
10. "I'm too busy."
    Positively the poorest excuse ever invented. You can make the time, if you really want to. The entire process takes a little more than an hour. Actual blood donation time is about 6 – 10 minutes.

Give the best that's in you!
Give blood.