Moms can give blood, too. (Photo by jimwolffman on flickr

by Rachael McMillan

Moms are natural multitaskers. We can care for our children while checking any number of items off our to-do list: laundry, shopping, exercising, church—you name it.

How about taking the kids along when you donate blood? Here’s the great news: not only is it OK to do this, at Community Blood Services of Illinois it’s recommended.

Melissa Halcomb, the Director of Donor Relations for the blood bank, points out that not only does this make it easier for parents to give blood, it also helps build the future donor base.

The receptionist, Myrle Blackburn, is quick to reinforce the idea that kids are welcome. “We can accommodate infants on up,” she said, and recounted instances of babies parked snugly in their car seats at her desk.

At the main CBSI donation center in Urbana, the area where donors grab a drink and snack to recover a bit after donation doubles as an excellent kiddie corral. It’s a carpeted little cove with tables, chairs, beverages, and every snack imaginable. It contains magazines for the donors, and toys, books, and puzzles for the kids. Best of all, it’s a scant seven paces or so from the lounge chairs where the actual donating takes place.

Kids who are free roaming are welcome to stay in the snack area by themselves. If they are too young to hang out unsupervised, someone from the center will be happy to take charge while you donate.

Some common sense applies here. Both Melissa and Myrle recommend making an appointment if kids are coming with you and letting the staff know how many/what ages of children will be there. Also, kids aren’t allowed beyond the carpeted portion of the snack area, so children who are going through an especially clingy or rambunctious phase might be better off at home.

When your child is 16, and has your written permission (the center has special forms), he or she can donate right along with you. And, even though your son or daughter can donate at 17 without your permission—this is state law—Community Blood Services wants parents to remain involved.

“We encourage all parents to talk about this with their kids and to sign them in,” Melissa said. She stressed that this is the best way to make sure young adults are really ready to donate.

Melissa is passionate about the link between kids and Community Blood Services. She has developed lesson plans for school children of all ages that fit with health, science, and P.E. curricula. The center also welcomes individual groups (such as homeschoolers) for tours and presentations.

Getting out of the house. Exposing your kids to new experiences. Teaching them about helping others. Getting awesome free snacks. Saving lives.

Now, that’s multitasking.

Readers, we want to know: do you give blood? Why or why not?

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1. ‘Tis The Season to Give: Opportunities to Do Good In Chambana