SEATTLE — I was standing in the emergency room next to my dad who was quickly losing blood. Time was running out. The seconds seemed like hours as we waited for more pints of blood to come in when suddenly, a group of doctors and nurses rushed in with multiple bags that had just been delivered. Those blood donations ended up saving my dad's life that day.
I told myself that if he survived, I would get over my fear of needles and donate blood so I could save someone else's life.
A few years ago, I made a blood donation for the first time. I promised myself I would do it again, but my fear of needles stopped me from making another appointment. When I asked my co-anchor Jake Whittenberg if he would donate blood with me, he hesitated. He also had the same fears I did.
For most people, that's what prevents them from becoming a blood donor. Only 3% of people in the U.S. who are eligible donate blood. In Washington State, it takes 1,000 donors a day to meet the hospital demand. The need is constant.
Jake and I decided to face our fears together, so we went to Bloodworks Northwest to make a donation. We drank lots of water 24 hours before our appointment and ate a good breakfast. The entire process only takes about an hour. The actual donation time is about 8 to 12 minutes.
It turns out Jake had one major factor in his favor. The phlebotomist described his veins as something you could "see from space." That helped his blood donation go very quickly. It only took him 4 minutes and 28 seconds to donate, which is about half the time as it normally takes. He was so surprised at how easy, quick and painless the process was for him.
On the other hand, I didn't have such a successful experience. Because my veins are so small, it was difficult to get the needle in the right spot.
"It just wasn't going in a way where you're going to have a successful donation all the way through," said phlebotomist Olivia Dickson. "It does happen, unfortunately."
I was disappointed but felt really emotional witnessing Jake's experience as a first-time donor and knowing he was making a difference in a stranger's life. Jake has already made another appointment in 60 days to donate again.