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Are you afraid?
Well it is nothing to be ashamed of.
But do you want to do something about it and try to save
someone's life?
Something we often hear is that some people
are afraid of needles. Is that you?
 But,
without getting too psychological, are you really afraid or do you just
not like needles? I suppose that most people do not like needles,
injections and that sort of thing. We have not really come across
anyone who says that they love needles and injections. But because
you don't really like something does not mean that you have to avoid it
or run away.
Remember - registering as a potential bone
marrow donor is about saving someone's life. That someone may be a
child. What would you do if it was your child, or another member
of your family. How much would the "fear of needles" bother you
then?
And that is an important point, because
illness strikes without warning. And nobody can say that they know
what the future holds. By joining the bone marrow register now you
will be giving hope to those who suffer now, and perhaps you will even
offer them a lifeline. But you will also offer a better chance to
those who will become ill in the future. The more people who are
on the bone marrow register, the greater the chance of finding a
matching donor and receiving a lifesaving bone marrow transplant.
DON'T WALK AWAY - LOOK AWAY
It may sound a bit obvious, but
if you don't like needles or are not too keen on the sight of blood -
then don't look. You will not be the first and certainly not the
last person to do so. It is not a weakness to "fear" needles and
the sight of blood. And it is a great strength if you confront
your anxieties and fears head on. Speak to the medical staff about it.
Don't look, wear dark glasses if that helps or bring a friend to look
after you, to hold your hand.
While some people have walked away from such
situations, many have gone to great lengths to ensure that they do join
the register. It shouldn't take long and perhaps afterwards you
will laugh and wonder what all the fuss was about. But even if
giving that all important blood sample doesn't conquer your fears, you
can be sure that you have just done a great thing - and for you a very
brave thing.
And just ponder on this - how many people
have the privilege of saving another's life? If you do go on to
become a bone marrow donor you may save someone who has no other hope
except for you. Someone who would almost certainly die if not for
the donation of bone marrow that you are prepared to give them.
Please, confront your fears. Don't run
away. Give hope to someone. SAVE A LIFE.
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