I have been a blood donor for many years. To date, I have given 116 pints of blood and have also done apherisis several times. Donation only take about 1/2 hour and my body reproduces it for free so why not give it to someone who needs it. I am fortunate to live very near a blood center and try to go every 8 weeks. It is painless and a very worth while cause. I started taking my daughter with me when she was 16…she is now 30. It really hit home one day when one of my patients was talking about getting a transfusion and I asked her what blood type she was…she responded “A + “. I said I was too and that I had given many pints of blood. She said a very simple but heartfelt “thank you”. It really put a face to the volunteer donations I have been doing for years.