Top 10 reasons people don't give blood:

1.
"No one ever asked me."
Consider yourself asked!  A person's responsibility to give blood is a fact of life.  There is simply no other way to supply the blood needs of hospital patients.  Blood cannot be manufactured.

2.
"I'm scared of that needle."
Nearly everyone feels that way, but after they see how quick and painless the procedure is, the fears vanish.

3.
"I don't have any blood to spare."
The average adult has 9-12 pints of blood in his/her body.  Doctors say that healthy persons may give regularly because the body quickly replaces the blood you donate.

4.
"They wouldn't want my blood because of the illnesses I've had."
Many illnesses do not effect the quality of your blood for donation.  The staff on duty will review your medical history before you make your donation.

5.
"I'm too old to give."
There is no upper age limit to donate with the American Red Cross.

6.
"I already gave this year."
You can give blood every 56 days.   Many donors give 5 times a year!

7.
"They'll take too much, and I'll feel weak."
Less than a pint is all that's taken.  Your body manufactures new blood constantly and what you give will be replaced within a few hours.

8.
"I have a rare blood type, and I wait to give only when there is a special need."
Blood that is special or rare is almost always in short supply.  There is a constant need for these blood types in order to avoid having to recruit specific blood types in a crisis.

9.
"My blood isn't rich enough."
A sample of blood is taken before you donate to make sure that your iron count is adequate to safely donate.

10.
"I didn't realize my blood was needed."
It certainly is!  On average, 600 units of blood need to be collected daily in order to meet the needs of hospital patients in Connecticut.

See our blood drive page for information about drives in your area and
call us at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) to set up an appointment to donate.

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Updated:  09/21/99