Why Don’t You Donate Blood?

By Jeff Deminski

New Jersey hospitals are in the middle of a critical blood supply shortage. Marie Forrestal, director of donor recruitment and retention for New Jersey Blood Services says, “We have less than a one day supply of O negative. We consider a seven to ten day supply to be adequate.” There is also a shortage of A positive, A negative, and B negative as well but since any patient can receive type O in an emergency that is by far the most critical.

I’ve donated blood several times always through the Red Cross. Now, I don’t know about you, but the reason I ended up not donating more often is the near stalking this organization does once you’ve donated. The phone calls never seemed to end, telling me exactly what day I should next show up, as if it were some pre-set appointment, to donate next. They are so overly aggressive and the calls so frequent in my experience I felt like their policy was my blood was no longer my own. I have donated probably 5 or 6 times but just don’t want to be one of those every two month donors. Why isn’t that good enough considering most people don’t ever donate?

So what about you? Take our poll and share your thoughts below.