Direct Deposit

"Have you gotten a tattoo in the past year?"
"No."
"Have you been tested for syphilis or gonorrhea?"
"No."
"Have you been in juvenile detention, lockup, jail or prison for more than 72 hours?"
"No," I replied again.

A few more questions (okay, more like 30) and I was deemed worthy, worthy to donate my blood to the Blood and Tissue Center of central Texas. It was a mobile donation unit. The school-bus-like vehicle came to our place of business every couple of months. Had people sign up. Donate a life-giving substance. A good cause. I've always liked the idea of donating something besides money, be it time, blood, elbow grease, etc. It seems like there's more of a chance of my donation being used for what it's intended. Not too many ways to misspend blood. Knowing the Center provides the blood supply for 37 medical facilities in central Texas and helped over 150,000 patients in the past year also put my mind at ease. I did not have that statistic rolling around in my head randomly. I found it at the Center's web site along with some other interesting facts about the nonprofit at www.bloodandtissue.org.

Of course I understand money is an effective tool when it comes to charity: It's quick, direct, and can travel very far in a short amount of time. It's also easier to misspend.As with anything, we have to do our research when considering a donation. Do some homework and make sure it's a reputable organization. I highly recommend checking out the Federal Trade Commission's tips on avoiding charity scams. I feel like donating something like blood and time is more immediate. More instant gratification. A more personal version of "direct deposit" you could say. Guess I'm a product of my time. I recently had a friend return from a mission trip to Africa. She went with a couple of members from her church. Donating her time, testimony, tears. As we sat across from each other in the coffee shop, she flipped through her slideshow of pictures on her laptop telling me stories, recounting her adventure. I could clearly see where her donation had gone. It had gone to the villagers she had given clothes to, the children she had shared food with and the community leaders she had prayed for.

The phlebotomist rubbed my right arm with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball, instructed me to "sit back and relax," and inserted a needle into my vein. It was hard for me to relax. This was only my second venture into donating blood (and on a bus at that). The first time had been back in college. I ended up donating blood twice that day. Once with a nurse, needle, and bag (another random fact: the plastic blood bag was invented in 1953). And then again ten minutes later when I fainted on the way back to my dorm and scraped my knees up on gravel.

Ouch.

I was determined to overcome my fear." Just squeeze this rubber ball and we'll come check on you shortly."
The pain I go through to make sure my donation is in the right hands.

Statistics show--according to the Mayo Clinic--that 25 percent or more of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime and each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

"Just a few more minutes and then we can bandage you up and you can have some juice and a snack at the front of the bus."

Volunteering with hospice patients was another experience I had with direct giving. I knew I wanted to spend time with those who did not have a lot left. I was also able to closely track that donation with the help of my coordinator, nurses, CNA's and various nursing-home staff.

"You know Sandy is really looking better since you started visiting her. We hope to see you back soon."
Sometimes donations can be accounted for through words, smiles, hugs, and handshakes.

"Okay. You're all done now. Keep that bandage on for at least another few minutes. Thank you for donating your blood today."

        
-Rhiannon is a blogger for The Sorbate. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.