To those people who would donate but are scared of needles - I understand and sympathise, I really do. I can't stand needles, almost to the point of phobia. But sometimes, it's important to do things that you know are hard for you, for what you know is the greater good. I've donated around ten times, and still, every time, I have to warn the nurse that I'm a big baby, every time, I wince when the needle goes in, and every time, I lie there thinking that it's pretty uncomfortable. But as I sit there enjoying the free biscuits afterwards, I have to admit that, actually, it was no big deal. At the very worse, it was ten minutes of mild discomfort. Often, it's not even that.
And just possibly, it's a life saved. There aren't many occasions where the average person has a genuine opportunity to save someone's life. We get the chance two to three times a year. I think that's a bit special, actually.