Until 1983, I could actually blame it on being too thin*; for the next 25 years, it was nothing short of selfish cowardice. In February of last year, there was a moment of redemption, but just two months after that, exclusion returned. This time it wasn't self-imposed but rather due to health concerns: bad blood.
My hemoglobin was too low and I wasn't allowed to give blood.
I was less concerned about being anemic and much more disappointed I couldn't be a super hero, saving lives, or at a minimum, helping others. Up to four people in need, every other month…24 people a year! Now that I understood how a) easy and painless it was, b) how quickly it could be done (45 minutes, paperwork-start to needle-removal finish), and c) as a universal donor I NEEDED to donate blood, it was disheartening not to be able to.
Following Blood Assurance's initial rejection, a more substantive health scare ensued and I wasn't able to give blood again (if you have time, go back and skim those posts…I can laugh about it now).
Until this morning :). My blood is behavin' again. Good blood, goooood blood!
About the time I publish this post, my teen daughter will be donating for the first time. She just barely meets the weight requirement and she's scared to death. I couldn't be more proud of her for facing her fear and sincerely considering others more highly than she regards her own discomfort. She made this decision almost 30 years before I did…w o w.
Anyways…call me peculiar, but I have FUN going through this process! Maybe I was simply thrilled because I finally could donate again, but it wasn't just me–other students, teachers and parents waiting to donate seemed just as eager! Kudos to the Blood Assurance staff, their professionalism is noteworthy.
Please call your local provider now and schedule time to give blood. You'll be so glad you did. Not only will you get to be a super hero for the day, less than an hour of your time will be used to help up to four other people…and might just save a life! Consider these facts about donating blood (and if you aren't disqualified from giving, how can you say no after reading??):
- of all eligible donors, only 5% actually donate
- you stand a 95% chance of needing blood by age 72
- someone needs blood every three seconds in the United States
- donated whole blood must be used within 35 days; red blood cells must be used within 42 days
- around 40,000 units of blood are used every day in the U.S.
- A sickle cell patient can use more than 4 units of blood a week
To help alleviate your fears, here are a few pictures from my morning ~
Four small test tubes collect a small sample for testing; they're so pretty with their color-coded tops, I barely noticed when my blood bubbled and squirted into them!
It's almost like a spa vacation. They give you cookies and juice or a soda to drink, then make you lie back in
a comfortable chair and take a load off. They're concerned about your fitness, though, so they give you a little ball to squeeze for exercise.
The blood nurses don't mind much what you look like. They'll take you with sunglasses sitting cock-eyed on top of your obviously unbrushed hair and they're grateful if you brushed your teeth before you come.
(note to my children: IF YOU LET ME LEAVE THE HOUSE LOOKING LIKE THIS AGAIN, YOU SHALL SLEEP IN THE GARAGE WITH THE CAT!)
Just look at me (but not too closely!)–I'm all smiles. That is most certainly due to the fact a) I'm holding an insulated cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, b) I hadn't yet seen the rolls? extra chins?? that mysteriously photoshopped themselves into the picture, c) IT DOESN'T HURT A BIT TO GIVE BLOOD!
Afterwards, they even let you choose a pretty color of medical tape to hold a wad of cotton in place so you don't bloody your clothes or bleed to death. Thoughtful with a side of whimsy, yes? I chose purple to match the outline of the letters on my sweatshirt (Go Tigers!).
Sooo, please…unless you have a medical condition prohibiting your participation (and that was me since last April…not guilting those who can't, just those who can 😉 ), make plans to donate as soon as possible.
Someone's life depends on it.
*Dear God, can you please help me get back to within 10 pounds of that? Thank you and amen.
I so know I need to give but needles scare me. I need to remember to drink plenty of water too before you go — it helps your blood run quicker so you’re not there forever waiting to fill up those tubes or bags or what-have-you. Also eating a good dinner the night before — something with lots of protein helps. All tips I learned after my 2nd time giving — when they woke me up 🙂 I fainted because I was trying to get away from someone who came in that I did not want to be around. Great Christian attitude ain’t it? And to beat all — it was the pastor 😉 Long story and nothing to do with the actual blood giving.
Oh well, congratulations on giving! It’s wonderful that you did it and I need to make an appt myself to go do it. Someone’s going to have to drive me though — if I pass out again 😀
whoo hoo! you go girl! Don’t ya just love those new cool colors! I just gave last Thursday! We used to give every 8 weeks but since having kids (12 years ago) we haven’t given nearly enough. I have gotten more “regular” lately. I’m even checking into giving Platelets!
Hope everyone that reads this will follow Robins call for heroes and donate!!!
WOW, Lisa…I should’ve told you BEFORE I went (I was a bit light-headed
after). And I suppose I’ll give you an excuse since you did pass out,
but…wow. Sounds like a story for “Repressions”, huh? If I lived closer,
I sure would drive you, though :).
Just filling those 4 vials can be a trial for me. Seriously, my veins are small, spidery and love to collapse. Maybe someday but in the mean time I am extremely grateful for donors like yourself.
Also, just in case you didn’t know about it Manic Mommy has a virtual blood drive going on until the end of the month. There’s a vacation in Florida up for grabs to help encourage life saving donations.
I like the multicolor medical tape the best! 🙂
Great post and good reminder!
I don’t mind giving blood, I’ve done it a few times in the past, beginning in college. I haven’t in a while, mostly because I’m not up on when they come to town, and what in the world would I do with my three kids?? It would have to be planned ahead of time and not spontaneous.
Anywho, it’s never bothered me (even though I don’t like needles) and the only thing that stands in my way is being borderline anemic – so basically I just have to eat iron rich foods the day before so that there’s enough iron in my blood, otherwise I’ll get turned down. Really stinks being turned down. One more reason that I can’t spontaneously give blood if I see a blood bus in a parking lot somewhere.
I think you look marvelous there (except for the shirt, Clemson?) especially the wrinkles above your nose when you smile.
Good work on donating – I used to give a lot, until some bad sticks here. Haven’t been back, guess I should try again.
Hey Robin. I’ve been following your blog for quite some time. And I love the Clemson sweatshirt! I’m a SC girl and met my honey while at Clemson. I followed him back here to TN. Go Tigers!!
I have always had the underweight problem with donating blood. But after the birth of my daughter 4 years ago, I think I’m just enough over! Thanks for the reminder of how important if it is to give!
I give every time they come to our small town! Actually, I gave blood just last week and I was out of there in less than half an hour! They said my blood was running really fast. Good for giving blood, not so good if I’m losing it. It actually was relaxing….maybe because I didn’t have any kids laughing (screeching) at my feet. But I still shared my cookies when I got home…..the first time I gave was when I was a junior in High School and I’ve given whenever I can ever since. Maybe I need to blog about it….
my youngest son received 16 blood transfusions during his 4 1/2 month NICU stay so I am forever grateful to the O+ and A+ blood donors who helped sustain him while he was in the hospital and why I now regularly donate (whenever I am not too anemic).
Thank you!
I am not allowed to give blood, but the husband is O-negative and a member of the 10 Gallon Club. Nurses everywhere get to fluttering when he walks in the door. And then they write “peds” (for pediatrics) across the bag with a Sharpie.
What is the weight for giving blood? I had that “problem” too..years ago..before babies! I was too thin. I got sick once as a child getting blood w/drawn..and I just have not been interested since. I should reconsider. My husband donates every year..good for him!
I’m proud of you, girl!
Excuse me while I go faint.
Good for you ! They won’t take my blood.
Bless you for not only being the hero, but for instilling it in your daughter. Nothing makes me prouder than when our kids insist on joining me when I donate blood plasma. I’m at 290 donations and counting, and I’ll give for as long as they let me…and I can’t wait until my munchkins are old enough to roll up their own sleeves.
I wrote about it here:
http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2005/06/lifeblood.html
YAY girl!!!
Nathan has the O Neg CMV Neg blood which is the only blood newborns can have. He gets his own special bags when he donates, which he does regularly!
I donate when I can, but I have to have someone drive me home when I do it 😉