A reader writes:
Would donating blood be considered one of the Corporal Works of Mercy? It seems to, but at the same time doesn't quite fit into one of the 7 listed works. The reason I'm asking is that I feel spiritually guided to start donating my blood. To me, the fact that you're giving your own blood - a part of yourself - seems very profound, along the lines of organ donation.
I don't think it matters whether blood donation maps to one of the works of mercy. It clearly is an expression of the second greatest commandment: love your neighbor as yourself. When you give your life's blood that another may live you are imitating Christ, who gives us his very blood that we might live. Well done that you are eager to do this. Here's the Catechism, in case you are interested:
2296 Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks to the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a expression of generous solidarity. It is not morally acceptable if the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent. Moreover, it is not morally admissible to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.
Blood donation is a triple win because you can 1) save lives without 2) dying yourself and 3) you can do it over and over. In fact, you can do it multiple ways by donating whole blood, plasma, and platelets. Everybody who can should be a blood donor (I speak as a five gallon alum).
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Wouldn’t blood donation fit with the corporal work of visiting the sick? After all, your blood is a physical part of you, and though the rest of you may not be there, it is being used to heal and sustain the sick in hospital.
:-)
Sadly, I am no longer eligible to donate blood. I used to before my first tour of duty overseas.
As one who is in need of packed red blood cells and platelets on a regular basis because my body does not produce enough of its own, I’m very thankful to those who donate. It is not a minor issue to us in need. God will reward you for your kindness!
For those who are afraid of donating blood, I used to have such a phobia of needles that I couldn’t do it. Senior year of college I tried, and passed out before I finished signing in at the door. No joke. It is terribly embarrassing to be lying on the floor with the little freshman girl from your French class looking on as she preps to give blood.
Anyways, I’ve gotten over that, and have donated a couple times now. Thanks to Catholic guilt, I signed up last year when my parish was holding a blood drive.
Some things that helped me get through it:
—Offer it to God and asking His help. “Lord, get me as far through the process as You want.” (The first time I donated, I was actually amazed I got through it—and it wasn’t that bad!)
—Do some psychological prep work beforehand: YouTube has tons of videos of people donating blood. If watch enough of them, you can acclimate yourself to the process. Even if you are grossed out, just keep on watching.
—Talk with the other folks donating blood and the phlebotomist (the person who takes your blood).
—Ask for an ice pack. For some reason that helps.
—Tell the blood donation people your concerns and ask for the most expert phlebotomist.
—Pray during the process. In the past I’ve brought a little crucifix. You might get some odd looks, but oh well—you’re the one giving the blood.
In the end, it’s not terrible. The needle huts less than you think—it’s just your imagination getting the best of you.
Thank God for His help and then sign up again.
I always pray for the people who will recieve my blood the whole time I’m giving. I offer the sacrifice and pain for them as well. I’ve given 3 gallons so far.
At our parish we host blood donation three or four times a year. In the bulletin, Father always calls it “an easy Corporal Work of Mercy” and encourages those who can to donate.
I just want to add my thanks to you donors. I thought I understood what a wonderful thing it is to donate blood, until my baby daughter needed an emergency transfusion. Then I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude that some absolute stranger had given his own blood for my baby. It makes me understand better what Christ did for us.
John Thrippleton, I’m right there with you—I donated blood until they changed the rules to avoid mad cow (I’m an army brat and my family was stationed in Germany in the 80s.) Everyone who can donate blood, please do so to make up for the blood John and I can’t give. :)
One of the great things about modern medicine is that we keep finding treatments for more diseases out of different components in blood. This means that the need for donations keeps increasing. I encourage everyone who has ever been told they cannot donate to check in every couple of years as the rules can change (we learn more ways to detect diseases, or re-evaluate the risk factors over time)
I don’t do it enough—but when I do it makes me feel great. Our Lord shed His Blood for each one of us—I can certainly give a little bit a few times a year for a few people who really need it.
My son, age 11, is undergoing chemo for leukemia right now. He has received transfusions several times, most recently receiving red blood cells this past Thursday. His situation has been very severe at times and I wonder if he would still be around were it not for his transfusions. So YES, donating blood is a corporal act of mercy! God bless all those donors whose blood has sustained my son’s life!
What about work of mercy visiting the sick (by proxy, since doctors serve as intermediates)?
Thanks for posting this news,someone needs blood every 2 seconds,give the gift of life!
I was a non-donating Jehovah’s Witness for 33 years and now a regular Red Cross blood donor with my ‘blood buddy’ girlfriend.
Jehovah’s Witnesses blood transfusion confusion
Jehovah’s Witnesses take blood products now in 2012.
They take all fractions of blood.This includes hemoglobin, albumin, clotting factors, cryosupernatant and cryo-poor too, and many, many, others.
If one adds up all the blood fractions the JWs takes, it equals a whole unit of blood. Any, many of these fractions are made from thousands upon thousands of units of donated blood.
Jehovah’s Witnesses now accept every fraction of blood except the membrane of the red blood cell.
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Danny Haszard
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