By Kay Bennett

If you’ve never donated blood to the American Red Cross and are curious what it’s like, just ask Judy Harris. She’ll tell you all about how easy and seamless it is. And she should know—she has been giving blood regularly for more than 20 years.

Harris’s noble tradition began when her former employer partnered with the Red Cross to bring bloodmobiles to the company site. She had no qualms about the blood donation process—she was just happy to help. “I want to help save somebody’s life.” she says. “I do want to help somebody with sickle cell disease. I would want somebody to do it for me if I needed it.”

That first donation, 20-plus years ago, was all it took: Just knowing she’d be helping someone in need inspired Harris to roll up her sleeve on the regular. And every time she gives blood, she walks out with a huge reward—a feeling of satisfaction and well-being that simply can’t be bought. 

The veteran donor describes the process as simple. First, you’ll get a brief physical during which a Red Cross staffer checks your blood and temperature to make sure you can donate at that time. Then you’ll be shown to a comfortable seating area where the blood is collected. 

Harris has witnessed firsthand how blood transfusions can save lives. Her friend’s late brother had sickle cell disease, and also the same blood type as she has. While Harris doesn’t know if he ever received her blood, she directs her donations to go to sickle cell patients. (Yes, you can do that!) That’s because there’s a shortage of available blood from African American donors—and sickle cell patients, most of whom are African American, often benefit the most when they receive transfusions from a donor of their ethnicity.

Always in the back of Harris’s mind are these questions: What if I needed a blood transfusion myself? What if someone in my family needed one? She views blood donation as a civic duty to help other people, and she feels blessed that she’s healthy enough to do so. 

Harris strongly encourages everyone to donate. You never know who you might help or even befriend in the process. She sometimes sees familiar faces at blood drives, and bonding with fellow donors is always a collateral benefit. Being a donor feels like being a part of a community. “Everyone is there for the same reason—to save a life.”

Learn how you can donate blood today.

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to celebrate the lifesaving impact of blood and platelet donors. Observed each January since 1969, it coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.