I braced myself as the needle entered my vein.
The pain was bearable. The phlebotomist, Regina, distracted me with friendly conversation as my dark red blood traveled through several tubes to a clear pouch. Occasionally, I glanced over to check how much had been filled. It was like watching an hourglass.
This was my first time donating blood. I’ve walked by the OneBlood Donation bus at FIU many times. Recruiters stand out front and offer movie tickets and pizza in exchange for a donation. The scene is a mainstay on campus that few acknowledge.
I ignored the calls for donations many times absorbed in my daily routine of classes and work. It was an automatic response. I had no excuse. Then my grandfather passed away. As he grew sicker, he had three blood transfusions that kept him with our family a bit longer.
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