What do you get when you go to a blood drive? Here are three examples of what I received

This article was first published in September 2020. It was a time when the whole country was in turmoil over the new coronavirus and the economy was in decline.
At the time, people said that dental treatment might be dangerous because of blood and saliva spattering, and the number of people going to donate blood was also decreasing.

This is a flyer that appeared in our home at the time, asking for blood donation cooperation.

Three years have passed since then, and our daily lives have largely returned to normal, but just the other day we received a similar flyer asking for blood donation. It seems that there is still a shortage of blood.

It is not easy for me to go to the blood donation center in the city, but I have been trying to go there as much as possible if there is a blood donation bus coming nearby.

I have written about the conditions under which you can donate blood and the blood donation bus in other articles, so in this article I would like to write about what you can get when you go to donate blood.

This is a bit of an interesting point for those who have not yet had the experience of donating blood (laughs). Of course, donating blood is not something you go to get a gift for, but it is still something you would be happy to receive! (^_^)

Examples of items you can receive when you donate blood (my actual example)

The items you can receive when you go to a blood donation are, of course, completely different depending on the time, and may vary from region to region. Please see this as an example.

What I received at the blood donation in September 2020

The photos below show all of the items I received when I donated blood in September 2020, when this article was first published.

Looking at these items, were you surprised to see how much you could get? or “Is this all I can get? Or were you disappointed that this is all you could get?

I do not intend to act like a good boy, but I am grateful that I was able to receive such a large number of items. Eggs, candy, and tissues make me very happy!

In the first place, donating blood is a small contribution to society that I can make. Just the thought that my healthy blood might be of use to someone else makes me happy.

Since I go with such a feeling, I feel a little sorry for receiving a souvenir, but I am grateful for it.

That was the 12th time for me. I have received various gifts every time I have been there, but I can’t remember exactly what I received (sweat). I remember there were nutritional drinks and oranges. I think it was generally the same as this time.

Come to think of it, once when I was unable to donate blood because I had been vaccinated the day before, I was still asked to accept a souvenir. I was afraid to accept it, but I declined… (^_^;) (^_^;

What I received at the blood donation in May 2023

For the next two years, due in part to the new coronavirus, the number of times I donated blood decreased to once or twice a year, but I have already done so twice this year.

Most recently, in May of this year, I went to a large supermarket in my neighborhood because the blood donation bus came to the supermarket.

And as for the souvenirs,

So, this is just a list,

The following is a list of the items that were in the box.
The 10 eggs and mini Kit Kat that were there 3 years ago were gone, and the boxes of tissues had increased from 2 to 5.

I guess it was impossible, especially since the price of eggs had gone up so much at that time. It couldn’t be helped. I am happy because I use tissues as much as I can!

What I received at the blood donation in September 2023

And this is the most recent one, on September 17. It requires a bit of explanation, but here is everything I received at that time.

So, a little explanation is needed.

Retort Curry for 1 person

This is probably a gift only for those who made a “reservation” (it was given separately from the others on the bus) . I would recommend making a reservation if you can, as it gives you priority when waiting and also gives you a small gift.

Key chain of LaBrad

This was given to me because I had “20 points” in my LaBlad (Japanese Red Cross blood donor membership service). There were several other practical items to choose from, such as detergent, but I chose this one as a commemorative gift.

You could say that this was a kind of gift.

Although not a souvenir, when you donate blood, the Japanese Red Cross Society informs you of the test results of the blood you have donated. I feel this is also a nice present for blood donation.

It used to be sent by postcard a few days later, but now it has been changed to be viewed online. (You can view it on the blood donation web membership service ” LaBlood” ). And what a surprise, I can now see it the day after I donate blood. That’s great.

This is the “Check Blood Donation Record” on my My Page.

Compared to the blood test at the hospital, there are fewer items and the details are not as clear, but you can get a general idea of what is going on.
If there is anything above or below the standard value, I will be careful and try to improve, and if there is no problem, I will feel relieved.

This is not the purpose of this article, but I think it is one of the most gratifying “gifts” that we can receive for free.

It’s nice to be able to help people in need for only 30-40 minutes, and to receive various gifts like this.

There are also commemorative gifts for the 10th, 30th, and 50th times of blood donation.

I have separated this article because it is a little off-topic, but there are commemorative gifts and certificates of appreciation for those who have donated blood for a long time: 10, 30, 50, and 100 times in total.

I have received a commemorative gift for my 10th donation, which is another encouragement.

If you would like to read more about it, please click here.

In closing

Again, I don’t go to blood drives to receive gifts or souvenirs. That is true for me, and I am sure it is true for most of you.

However, I am honestly happy to receive eggs and sweets, and I feel proud when I receive a commemorative gift for the total number of times I have donated.
I would like to continue to go to blood drives in the future, while honestly rejoicing in that.

I would like to express my sincere respect and appreciation for the efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Red Cross Blood Center, the blood donation promotion cooperative associations in each area, and everyone else involved.

I will go again. (^_^)

Please read other related articles if you like.