Inside the Francestown Elementary School on Monday evening, there was life.
Nearly 30 people from the area traveled to the school to give donate blood as part of a semi-annual drive hosted by the Auxiliary of the Francestown Volunteer Fire Department.
Bruce Harrington, of Francestown, stretched out in a long chair during the event, plastic tubing in his forearm. He was in the midst of donating double reds, which allows a individuals to donate two units of red blood cells during one donation period while returning plasma and platelets to the body.
“My blood type is a little rarer than most and they seem to really need it,” Harrington said. “So I give whenever and as much as I can.”
Harrington said he heard his type of blood is used frequently in infants, which is one of the many reasons he donates.
“Giving just feels really good,” Harrington said about the process. “It’s rewarding.”
Dennis Calcutt, of Francestown, also donated double reds on Monday. For him the choice to give blood is easy.
“I know there is a need (for blood) and it’s an easy thing for me to do. It may not be an easy thing for someone else to do, but it’s easy for me. And what’s easy for me may not be easy for someone else. So I give where I can and hope someone else gives when it’s harder for me,” Calcutt said.
Donating blood also helps us understand our connection to one another, he said.
“We’re made of the same stuff.”
And while it’s a simple decision for some, only 5 percent of the population donates blood, said AJ LaDuke, a collection technician with the American Red Cross. She said 50 percent of the population is eligible.
LaDuke said a big barrier is fear driven.
“If you can just get people to come in (during a blood drive) and not donate it can make a big difference because fears are crossed out,” LaDuke said. “They see it, and they see how OK everything is.”
Harrington said one of the reasons he donates is to face his fears.
“I don’t want to be afraid,” he said. “I look at needles and I think ‘ehh,’ but I do it to try to get over the fear.”
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.