I enjoy giving blood.  It's an easy way to help people out without putting forth too much effort.  You just sit there and let somebody stick a needle in your arm.  It's understandable when people don't give blood because they're afraid of needles.  The dumbest excuse for not giving blood (sorry if that person is reading this) was something along the lines of the level of uncleanliness and disease-spreading capabilities in the blood-giving process.  I can sort of understand that logic, but if you've ever actually gone through the process, you'd know it's extremely clean and sterile, and I've never heard of anybody getting sick from donating at a blood drive. 

I get reminders in the mail every now and then that tell me what's going on the world of blood-giving and things like that.  They're always trying to get me to give blood.  And that's fine; I'm totally willing to give blood on a regular basis.  The problem is, blood drives are poorly organized and poorly managed.  They're usually at an obscure location and/or at an inconvenient time.  And there are often too many people giving at one time, so there are unnecessarily long lines and wait times.  I'd be more than willing to give blood on a regular basis if it was a little more convenient.  If it was as easy as going to an ATM or stopping somewhere to get coffee, I'd do it as much as possible.  I'm a quick bleeder and I'm comfortable with blood and needles, so I'm usually in and out quicker than most people.  And I don't really need time to sit around and eat cookies afterwards (though I usually do anyway because I like cookies).  So maybe somebody could create a blood drive center with slow, medium, and fast service.  Have a walk-in area where you provide identification and answer a few quick questions ("Since the last time you gave blood, have you had sex with a gay man while living in African and shared needles with AIDS patients?"  Still no.).  Then do a quick sit down, pump out blood, get up and go.  Simple as that.  I'd be a regular giver. 

The other way they could attract more people to give blood is to hand each person a $5 bill after they give.  Or give them an actual meal.  Since there's money exchanged for donated blood (blood money, if you will), the donor should see some of that money.  And while we appreciate the cookies and juice boxes, I'd be a heck of a lot happier with a sandwich or some cash.  Make it part of a deal:  Turkey BLT, 1 pint; Turkey BLT w/ drink and chips, 2 pints. #health