Why Donating Blood Matters More Than You Think: A Nurse’s Perspective from Milwaukee
Melanie Van Sistine
If you’ve ever thought about donating blood but felt a little nervous or unsure, I get it. Walking through those doors can feel intimidating. But I want to share why it’s so important — and why I’m personally so passionate about it.
Before I shifted into my creative path, I worked as a pediatric nurse for five years, caring for patients and families at a local pediatric hospital.
Every day, I saw firsthand how something as simple as a blood donation could change — and even save — a life. From children battling cancer to patients recovering from surgery, trauma or chronic illness, donated blood was often the unseen lifeline behind their recovery.
For example, on a GI/GU bedside unit, we’d often see patients come in with GI bleeding. That could be from an ulcer, diverticulosis, Crohn’s flare, or even something like liver disease that causes varices (fragile blood vessels that rupture). When those patients lose blood quickly, their hemoglobin drops, and they can become very unstable, very fast.
That’s when blood transfusions are literally life-saving. Donated blood restores their volume, stabilizes their vital signs, and buys the medical team time to find and treat the source of bleeding.
Similarly, on the GU (genitourinary) side, patients might need blood after big surgeries — like kidney or bladder cancer resections — where blood loss is common. Or think about urology trauma cases where patients arrive with major bleeding from an accident. From GI bleeds, to oncology patients who can’t make enough of their own healthy blood, to surgical recoveries. Again, transfusions are the bridge between crisis and recovery.
The key thing is: blood isn’t just for “emergencies.”
Today, although I’m no longer at the bedside due to a back injury, I’ve found new ways to support the community I love. That’s why I’m partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, right here in Milwaukee on King Street, to encourage more people to roll up their sleeves and donate ~ just like me!
Why Donating Blood Matters More Than You Think
I’ve seen, with my own eyes, how a single blood donation can make the difference for a child fighting cancer, a patient in surgery or post-op, or someone needing a simple ‘tune-up’. It’s not just a bag of blood … it’s a lifeline.
❓❗Did you know that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood! That need never stops ~ as I mentioned before; cancer treatments, emergency surgeries, and chronic conditions all depend on a steady blood supply.
For cancer patients, in particular, blood transfusions are critical. Chemotherapy and other treatments often suppress the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells, making transfusions a vital part of their care plan. Without generous donors, patients wouldn’t have the resources they need to keep fighting and survive.
Versiti doesn’t just provide life-saving blood donations to hospitals across Milwaukee. Their work extends to diagnostic testing and groundbreaking research through the Blood Research Institute in Wauwatosa, WI. They are truly helping pave the way for cures to blood diseases and cancers. It’s astounding to see and be a part of!
The Power of One Donation
Here’s something that always blows me away … one blood donation can help save up to three lives.
Think about that. In less than an hour, you can directly impact three different families who are waiting and hoping for more time with their loved one.
What It’s Like to Donate
If you’ve never donated blood before, let me reassure you — it’s so much easier than most people think. I hadn’t donated in years (I was actually ineligible for a while because of certain medications), but coming back to it reminded me just how simple and meaningful the process really is! The Versiti team on King St. in Milwaukee made me feel so comfortable and supported from start to finish — and honestly, we even shared a few laughs along the way.
There are 6 easy steps Versiti operates by:
✨ Step 1: Check-In (easy + quick) Signing up online was a breeze .ೃ࿔
✨ Step 2: Health Questionnaire & Initial Screening (safety first!) ⛑️
✨ Step 3: Settle in + get comfty ⋆*:･
✨ Step 4: DONATE — this moment can save up to 3 lives ❤️
✨ Step 5: YOU’RE a lifesaver! 🛟
✨ Step 6: Snack time 🥤🍪 (the best part, let’s be honest)
Here’s what it looked like for me:
✨ Arriving at the center – quick, easy check-in and the warmest welcome from the Versiti Team!
✨ Health & safety check – just a few vitals and simple questions to make sure I was good to go. Be prepared to get your heart rate, temperature, blood pressure and a simple finger poke to check you’r iron! You need to be at least 12.5 g/dL for women and 13 g/dL for men. They also ask questions about past medical history as well as medication usage just so you are aware.
✨ Donation – this part was way faster than I expected. The actual donation itself took under 5 minutes (yes, the needle looks big at 12 gauge, but honestly? Barely felt it). The Versiti team is trained to be the best of the best for giving a good poke. As a RN, I was very impressed with their skill set!
✨ Post-donation care – juice + snacks (the best part), then they send you on your way.
⭐ Tip: keep your wrap on for about 3 hours after to help with clotting and prevent infection!
Start to finish, I was out in less than 45 minutes for my first donation. They said the initial donation takes a bit longer cause they need to enter you in their system. But once you are in the data base, the questionnaire process is pretty seamless with future donations. And knowing that hour could help save up to three lives? That’s the part that sticks with you. I already have my next donation scheduled!
Why It Matters in Our Community
Blood can’t be manufactured; it only comes from generous people showing up for one another. At Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, the need for blood is constant. Donations help patients at local hospitals; including children battling cancer, trauma patients, and individuals living with blood disorders.
And that’s why I wanted to team up with Versiti and The Blood Centers of Wisconsin. Because at the end of the day, it’s about COMMUNITY! It’s about being there for each other in the moments that matter most.
How You Can Help
Whether it’s your very first time donating or your tenth, your gift has the power to change someone’s life in an impactful way!
👉 Find your nearest donation center here.
👉 Bring a friend or family member — it’s always better together.
👉 Remember, every single donation counts.
From one nurse, one neighbor, one community member to another ~ thank you for even considering this. You never know whose life you might be saving or whose story you might be a part of. 💜
Final Thoughts
I may not be at the bedside anymore, but my heart will always be with the patients who need us most. Donating blood is one of the most powerful ways we can show up for them and stand beside them — whether it’s a child fighting cancer, someone recovering from surgery, or a neighbor facing the unimaginable after trauma.
Every pint truly matters and makes a differnece. Every donor makes an impact!
I’d love for you to join me in supporting Milwaukee families ~ make your appointment with Versiti today.
