One pint is all it takes to save three lives, isn't that neat? One little pint can make such a big difference! This is something that many people in our school realize and pledge to donate. We have all sorts of people register to donate, some who are scared, and some who have done it before and shrug it off like it's nothing. I love to comfort those who are scared. I tell them:

1) Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.

2) Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.

3) The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

4) Our club provides the registration table, canteen table, and escort station with "staff" and we have been trained to do our jobs well. We have a very good reputation.

5) Information you give to the American Red Cross during the donation process is confidential. It may not be released without your permission except as directed by law.

I spent most of the time stationed at the canteen table, watching like a hawk with the rest of the club members assigned there to make sure nobody was feeling off or going to faint. We had snacks like cookies and juice to serve to the donors and make them feel better about what just happened. A lot of the newer folks who came to donate said that they had a very pleasant experience and that they would come back next time to donate more.

The canteen table is a place to relax and mingle a bit all while keeping alert. Nothing too exciting happens there unless someone is looking ill. A girl in my German class seemed a little off so I asked her if she was feeling alright. She said that she was fine, but I felt that something was up. I let her escort know just in case. I'm glad I did because a few minutes later, she was about to faint. The escort was able to call for a nurse and get the poor darling set up somewhere private. Another person from my German class (my crush and close friend) was looking and acting fine at the table and was cleared to leave after his 15 minutes of snacks was up. The escort took him back to class and all was fine until later when he was brought back up unconscious. My poor friend fainted.

Although these sorts of things can happen (and rarely do), we will take care of you no matter what. We will go retrieve you if you feel uneasy after you go back to class; we will definitely catch you if you fall. We care about the people who come in to donate because we know that it's sometimes not an easy thing to do.

Sorry, I get so full of pride when I do a blood drive because I know that my volunteer time is put to a good cause and that it helps save lives just as much as donating blood does. I'm much too small to actually donate, but at least I can still put my hard work somewhere special and heartfelt. Applause for another great and successful blood drive?