One of challenges of reporting in the field every day is finding a creative way to tell a story. This morning, I was assigned to cover the shortage of blood at the Community Blood Center. They are critically short of blood, and they need everyone to roll up their sleeves and donate.
We arrived at the center at 40th and Main around 4:45 a.m. They don’t open until 7am, so all I could do for my first three live hits was stand outside a dark, empty building and talk about the need. After I went live at 6:30, I saw some employees prepping the room for that day’s donors, so I went up and asked if they would take my blood.
Sure! they said.
Knowing I was live again at 7:10, I quickly filled out the paperwork and my photographer, Kevin Lynch, set up inside the donation room. The timing was perfect. As I sat there and explained on live television the need for blood donors, the nurse stuck a long, silver needle into my arm. Fortunately, I didn’t pass out. Or vomit. Or cringe. In fact, I was so focused on what I was saying I barely noticed the blood had begun filling the empty bag.
All in all, I will say it was one of my more creative live shots. I figured, hey, why not let the viewer know it’s no big deal to donate with hopes it will encourage you to give blood as well.
Watch me give blood during my live shot.
To learn more about where you can donate, go to www.savealifenow.org. You’ll feel better knowing your donation saved a life or two because who knows. Maybe someday you’ll be dependent on a donor to save yours.