Can 4% be anything other than disgraceful?

EVANGELICAL STATEMENTS AND STRONG OPINION ALERT!

First things first - I know some people can't and if this is the case, then there is no reason for you to feel guilty about the following. However, if you can, I make no apologies if the below makes you uncomfortable.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about blood donation.That magical red stuff that courses around our bodies and enables our bodies and organs to function properly, that does all sorts of magical things I can't even begin to explain, and much I don't even understand.

But there IS something I do understand. That's the numbers. Only 4% of those ELIGIBLE to give blood do so. I know many feel faint, have had bad experiences, been advised they shouldn't or can't for one reason or another, but some...some have no excuse.

4%. Every time I see it makes me angry. Every time I see it I struggle to comprehend it. Every time I see it I feel disappointed. If you think 4% is enough, let the numbers tell you the truth. Just look at the chart below.

Out of all the blood groups, the largest current supply is 9 days. 9 days! 4%. 9 days. It's a disgrace.

A human body contains 8 units.

On 13th June 2007 my son Connor was born. Following a difficult birth my wife Lindsey needed an emergency blood transfusion. 4 units. Half her bodies blood supply.

Put as simple as possible, Connor has his Mummy and I have my wife of 10 years and counting because of the generosity of 4 strangers. I may pass them in the street. I may never come in to contact with them. But I thank them daily.

I admit I never gave blood before Lindsey's transfusion. I doubted I would be eligible because of medication I take. I hate needles, and have done since a young age after more blood tests than there are days in a year. But that day was the biggest kick up the arse I could get.

I won't lie to you. There have been times when I've donated that the needle going in hurts. I don't like the needle being inserted each time I donate. I always turn away when they do it. But from the time of the needle going in your arm it takes approximately 10 minutes to donate a unit. 10 minutes. Who can't spare that 3 or 4 times a year? We all spend more than that in a supermarket queue, filling our cars with petrol or skipping through TV channels each year. They encourage you to eat before and after your donation to keep your blood sugar up and help this by giving you free biscuits. Surely that's an incentive on its own?! In addition to all this, the staff are awesome. At my first donation, I told them of my fear of needles and nervousness, and they made me feel incredible. I lost count of how many times they thanked me, they gave me one on one care through out the donation and brought me a supply of drinks and biscuits until I told them to stop.

I left that room feeling amazing. I had done something amazing that day.

I have now given blood 7 times and have my next donation already booked for January 2013. I have also joined the British Bone Marrow Register.

You may be reading this and thinking "bully for you" or "get you, you little cocky git" or worse. But this isn't about me saying "aren't I amazing!" and seeking praise. It's about raising peoples awareness, getting people thinking. Ultimately, it's to ask the question...

Can you, and will you give blood?