Boston’s “Nate the Great” says: Donate!
They call him “Nate the Great” and people in Boston lined up in the rain because he asked them to. Nate the Great is Nathaniel Rodman, a five-year-old who understands firsthand the power of blood donations. According to WCVB, Nate is a two-time open heart surgery survivor and a frequent flyer member at Boston Children’s Hospital having undergone nearly a dozen other procedures. The success of his medical attention relies heavily on blood, platelet, and tissue donors.
According to The American Red Cross, blood donations took a major dive during the pandemic. The good news is that they are on the way back up, but donations are still not where they need to be. To save lives like little Nate the Great, we must step up and be donors.
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The Blood Donation Process
Register
To donate blood, you must complete a short registration process. You will sign in and make sure you are eligible. Show your ID, confirm your address, and look over some important information about donating blood.
Health Check
Next, you will be asked some questions regarding your own health history. These questions include information about travel, diagnoses, and prescription drug use. The Red Cross worker will also check your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin level.
– Whole Blood Donation
Now it’s time to make your donation. If you are donating whole blood, you will lie down on a comfortable cot, your arm will be cleaned (that is my favorite part), you will feel a quick pick, and the donation will commence. A whole blood donation should take about 10 minutes.
– Platelet Donation
If you are donating platelets, both arms will be used. This donation takes a few hours. When I’ve done it, I bring my laptop and stream a nice long movie. Shout out to the phlebotomists who take such good care of donors while they are making a platelet donation.
Refreshments
Honestly – this is why I do it. Cookies and juice, baby! After your donation, you will sit in the recovery area for a bit, enjoy some refreshments, and make sure you are feeling well before you leave.
Schedule Your Donation
Don’t leave without making your donation appointment! Nate the Great is so appreciative of your efforts. You saved his life and you can save more. Find a blood drive near you HERE.
