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Every 56 days, I take some time out of my busy schedule to do something very important, something that only about 3.5% of us do. I give blood.

I don’t have to go out of my way to do so either. Canadian Blood Services has many permanent clinics in cities all over the country. But they also operate mobile clinics at your local community centre or church.

It doesn’t take a lot of time. It doesn’t hurt, and it can help out someone in the hospital who really needs it.

The first thing they will do when you get to the clinic is to test the iron in your blood. They do this by pricking your finger. If your iron level is too low, you will not be able to give. After that, you see a nurse in a private office. She asks you some questions, checks your temperature and blood pressure before bringing you to the donation chair.

Those chairs are comfy. You sit back and relax as your blood is collected in a bag. It takes about ten minutes to donate. Then you get to go to the refreshment area where a volunteer will serve you a drink and offer you some cookies, Bits and Bites, a granola bar, or other snack.

The entire process takes less than an hour. And it can help save a life. Not enough people give blood so they are always looking for donors. There’s a clinic in my neighbourhood tonight. Hopefully I will see you there.

You can visit blood.ca for more information on where you can give or call 1-888-2-Donate.