What are your opinion (pros &cons) on blood donation?

The first time I donated was on 9/11 just after the attacks in NYC. I had watched my mom donate blood many times before that, but I was always too scared to do it myself. The lines were so long, and I waited for hours to do it. It was a little scary, but ever since then I try to do it a few times a year.. (really anytime the bloodmobile comes to my work) The pros: Your donation can save up to 3 lives! If you have a rare blood type (like O+) this is even more important. Afterwards you have a good feeling knowing you helped someone out. Sometimes you even get little gifts for donating (I have a few T-Shirts, a lunch bag, etc.) They will sometimes put you into drawings as well for gift cards.. (I think once there was even a car!) The cons: If you're squirmish, definitely find something else to look at while you're there. A spot on the ceiling perhaps? It's an uncomfortable feeling, as it does feel like a bad pinch when the needle first goes in, and then it's just generally sore while donating. In the 20+ times I've donated, only 1 has been a truly uncomfortable experience (something weird with my veins that day or something). The rest have been just fine. It takes about an hour, but most of that time is the questionaire before donating. You wear a bandage for the rest of the day, and have a general soreness, but by the next day, it's nearly back to normal. Drink plenty of water the 24 hrs before and after as this will help things go much better!