Each spring at Iowa State, students run a campus-wide blood drive. I’ve always encouraged my friends and acquaintances to be a part of this, and every year I hear the same excuses. And while you’ve probably heard that donating blood just once saves three people’s lives, it may be hard to put that into context.

Well, it’s not so hard for me anymore. When my mom was pregnant with me, my grandmother was diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer affecting her blood. She was not supposed to survive, and if you know anything about the Catholic religion, she even had her last rites read to her in the hospital.

One of the main things that saved her were blood transfusions. These wouldn’t have been possible without the generous donations of people across the country.

My grandmother went on to live 20 more years. The cancer came back when I was a junior in high school, but she still kept fighting for three more years. With the help of that blood, I got a chance to know my grandma and experience everything that was great about her.

Apparently, fear of donating blood is common all over the United States. According to the Red Cross’ Web site, only 5 percent of the U.S. population donates blood. The site listed some of the most common excuses not to donate, most of which are simply unacceptable.

1. “I’m too busy.” We’re all busy in college, but let’s put things into perspective. It takes about an hour to donate blood. That’s about as long as it takes you to watch an episode of “The OC” or the first half of a football game on TV. If you can dedicate your time to something that meaningless, can’t you dedicate the time to something so important?

2. “I’m afraid I’ll get AIDS.” Chances are you can get AIDS more easily from the stranger you left the bar with last weekend than you can from donating blood. Everything is completely sanitized now, which makes contracting the disease impossible.

3. “I don’t want to feel sick afterward.” The first time I donated, I was terrified. I blacked out and had to lay on the bed with my feet up in the air in front of who knows how many college students.

You may get sick or pass out, but most people don’t. And how often do you get sick or pass out after hugging the keg on a Saturday night or eating too many pokey stix on Tuesdays? At least this way you’re helping someone. And hey, you lose a pint of weight! That’s better than adding on a case of beer.

4. “My blood isn’t the right type.” If you have any type of blood, chances are someone out there needs it. There’s no such thing as the wrong type. And if it’s a rare one, it’s probably needed even more than you could ever imagine.

5. “I don’t like needles.” Well, who does? This is the most common excuse used. But did you mind needles when you were being the 100th person on campus to pierce your nose or put a tattoo on your back? Honestly, it only hurts for a second, and once you think about the three lives you’re saving, it tends to go away.

Just one month ago, a friend of mine lost her mother to cancer. Blood transfusions helped her stay alive long enough to say goodbye to each of her children. This only encouraged me more to speak out for this important cause.

It could’ve just as easily been your grandmother, your mother, your brother, or your roommate. People need blood all the time. In fact, according to the Red Cross, someone needs blood every two seconds.

Is there really anything important enough to stop you now? Suck it up. Go donate. Save three lives. Pat yourself on the back, and have a cookie while you’re at it. You’re a hero today.

Alison E. Monaghan

Senior

Journalism and Mass Communication