This all started when I decided to change my routine. I am normally the type of person who avoids answering the phone when they see the Red Cross calling. You know what they’re after, and they don’t usually take “no,” for an answer. It can be quite tedious, especially when you know that there is no way you can donate due to several reasons: too busy, no transportation, you’re usually turned away, or the most common, even if left unsaid—you just don’t feel like it.

I know, you’re preparing yourself to read about all of the different facts about donating blood; how if you donate today you could be saving three lives tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’m not writing about that. I get it, I really do. Giving blood is difficult to do, especially if you are someone who likes to see the results from your efforts. Maybe you feel as though it would be easier if you met the person you were saving. Or maybe you are just really squeamish about needles or blood. Whatever the case, if you’ve never experienced donating blood, here’s a look into my recent experience.

The first suggestion: make sure you do actually feel well when going and don’t lie on your sign in sheet. I was tired when I went to donate, and hadn’t had a solid meal since dinner the night before. As an ambitious person that didn’t stop me. I was going to do it and hopefully nothing would stop me. I had gotten myself pumped up and was trying to keep drinking water to help my veins rise a little do to being what nurses call a “hard stick.”

After my pre-screening (which consisted of checking blood pressure, hemoglobin, and general questions) I went to an open chair and tried to make myself comfy. I had my phone ready to go with Netflix when I needed it to pass the time, and I waited for my nurse to come get me ready.

Something I’ve yet to mention my fear of needles. You may find yourself asking, “Why exactly is a girl with a needle phobia donating blood?” I personally use it as a form of self treatment, usually putting myself in the mindset that if I get used to donating, maybe my fear will go away. So far, this method has worked.

Once the nurse started to get me ready, I looked away so I wouldn’t have to watch. That’s the worst part, and you may have a better experience if you don’t see what they do. After a sharper pinch than what I had imagined, I was ready to go. I settled into the episode of Jessica Jones I was on and got comfy. After about thirty minutes, things started to change.

I got lightheaded and dizzy suddenly. I had no warning that I was starting to not feel well. I mentioned feeling sick to my nurse, who after taking a glance at me called two other nurses to help. They kept me talking so that I would remain conscious while working to remove the needle from my arm. The only problem: the object in question was stuck. Eventually they were able to remove the needle and bandage up my arm. I also had ice packs and fans on me trying to rapidly cool me down. Turns out that when you’re about to faint you become very hot.

Eventually I was able to see straight again and and felt relatively back to normal. I was able to sit up and walk over to the snack station, then proceeded to go about my regular schedule. Even though my experience was a little surprising, I’d still say that it was successful because I was able to donate. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything if it meant that I wouldn’t be able to donate. So at the end of my dramatic tale, I’ll return to what I said this wouldn’t be: the next time you have the option to donate blood, really consider doing it if you can. It will help so many individuals, and the worst thing that will happen is being turned away at the start, or not even showing up.