Confession: I’m not a big Oreo fan. I’ll eat them, but usually the only time I have them is when I go to give blood, and that’s just because they make me before they’ll let me leave. As fun as it is watching everyone’s blood agitate back and forth, I have things to do. So I eat them.
Yes, I gave blood this morning. I haven’t donated since just before the holidays. I believe it was just after I got back on track after the constant-vacationing in November. I remember because I had a hard time getting my running back on track. They say to take it easy for a few days, but I couldn’t get back to 2 1/2 miles for almost two weeks after donating. So when the very nice people at Carter BloodCare called after the holidays, I told them that I had a race coming up and I was very sorry, but I couldn’t donate until afterward. I felt horribly guilty and selfish – people were having life-saving operations and medical traumas and I refused to give them my blood because I wanted to run a silly race? But I’m a selfish person, so I stamped those feelings back down and told the very nice person on the phone to call me at the beginning of March.
Either that technician is really efficient or else they must really, really like my blood because those nice people called me last week, right on schedule. Unfortunately, I had the girls last weekend, so they had to wait until today before they could suck me dry. I planned better this time: I ran last night after work instead of trying to run right after giving blood. It’s a good thing, too – last night it was a balmy 72 degrees outside. Today, it is windy with a high of 42. I wish I was kidding. So I didn’t mind one bit earning an excuse to stay inside and take it easy. In fact, I learned that the next time I donate, I can be even more lazy: apparently, only 6% of the population has pretty, shiny A- blood like me. The techs checked out the quality of my veins to see if I would be a candidate to donate platelets. That process takes about two hours to complete. I asked why I needed to have strong veins and she said it’s because they separate and scrub my platelets clean and then a machine forces my blood back into my veins. If my veins aren’t strong enough, they explode. Or maybe just a bunch of fluid collects under my skin and I get the mother of all bruises. Either way. I wonder if I get four Oreos for that, instead of just two.
I joke and kid because – hey, why not? But if you’re not donating blood, you should. It’s quick, easy, and (most importantly) pain free. If you’re in the DFW area, click here to find the closest Carter BloodCare donation center, or click here to visit the Red Cross’s Web page to find out where you can donate anywhere in the country.
Tags: Carter BloodCare, health, Red Cross
March 20, 2010 at 4:00 pm |
Woohoo! I’m giving on Wednesday. I love when I go to the drives at St. Thomas Aquinas, the RC church on campus, because they bake the tasty post-donation treats themselves.
Only about a third of Americans are eligible to donate, and a very small percentage of those eligible actually do, so please give, especially if you’re O neg like me.
March 20, 2010 at 4:04 pm |
I used to donate all the time, especially when I was in high school… was shooting for my “gallon club” gold pin. It’s been a while now. I should start doing it again. They always love my veins when I do. A drunken blindfolded Englishman throwing a dart can hit my vein from across the pub.
March 20, 2010 at 4:16 pm |
Unfortunately with my weight issues I’m not a good candidate, plus I’m terrified of needles, also my veins are very difficult to get into, let alone get enough blood for a couple of simple lab tests, let alone enough to donate.
And although they have decided that none of my health problems prevent me from donating blood, I’d still be uncomfortable with how serious the lupus can get (although thankfully in my case it’s not too bad). However, my dad does blood and plasma, and I’ve gone with him several times, or did when I was growing up… now I’m 18 hours away, not so possible for me to go with lol! They had all sorts of cookies (like, the big Mrs. Fields or Grandma whoever ones) and juices, and we’d get to watch movies… when it was just blood donation we’d watch whatever was on or read, once it got up to plasma donation he’d be in a different room than most donors so we got to pick a movie we wanted to watch.
All of that said, I suspect it’s a good thing Johnny has the same blood type as me because if something were to happen during a surgery, and they didn’t get enough blood backed up for me, he’d be able to donate right there lol. His veins are very good… and as I said, same blood type.
March 20, 2010 at 5:45 pm |
So glad you posted this.
First of all – way to plan – I do believe you are a runner now.
And, it looks like the Red Cross has changed the rules again for the time I lived in Europe so I think I can donate again. I will investigate further. Thank you!
March 21, 2010 at 8:32 am |
Good for you. I have a daughter who donates regularly. I haven’t given since the stroke. I think it is time for me to jump back on, too! Sorry your weather took a turn. I think we’re all ready for some warmer temperatures!
March 21, 2010 at 10:05 am |
Wow! You’ve got some fancy blood there! I have never donated. I’m not tall enough or heavy enough! That’s sounds so silly, but I guess I don’t have enough blood volume to give up as much as they want.