donate blood regularly

I just made my first donation! It took about an hour and a half, with all the administrative work. The actual donation took about 10 minutes, cause my blood was pretty sluggish … I’ll drink more water next time. I love all things medical, so thought it hurt a bit I got a huge kick out of the needle, the vials, the sloshing machine, the whole thing. In 56 days, I’m going back!

I used to do this all the time and watch a movie and feel good about myself. It has been a few years now and i need to get back in the routine of it.

I used to be really good about this, but it’s been years since I did this regularly and it’s a really good thing to do.

The last 2 times I tried to donate, they couldn’t get enough blood to flow. One girl nicked my vein and it started bruising immediately and the other guy was only able to get half a pint. They both complained about my veins being impossible to find. My doctor said that I have “delicate veins” and that this is not the best way for me to contribute to society. I think it’s really too bad because I pass all the crazy questions and I’m not scared to do it. It’s too bad my veins won’t cooperate.

I work in a hospital, and pass blood drives all the time in our atrium. Next blood drive I will make a mental note to come into work early and give blood.

The last time I went in the nurse recognized me by first name. So I guess I’m officially a regular. I’m on the email list, and the local drive coordinator knows to bug me if I don’t respond. All in all, it’s great. I get out of work for an hour, and I get free sandwiches and cookies.

I donated blood while on a field trip to The Grove with my students. It was convenient and easy, plus my students could see that it is not a big deal.

Few months ago, it was 147.
Then I got even more hardcore-nutrition-buff.
Now it’s 95?!
Is that even healthy?!

//Edit: I called the blood bank to check, and it’s fine. Apparently, there’s ‘no such thing as too low’ when there’s a reason for it dropping. And my reason would be going Raw.

It was whole blood back in April, and then yesterday I donated blood & plasma. I don’t think I’ll be doing the plasma again for a couple of reasons. Mainly that the fluid used with reentry into the bloodstream makes me super uneasy & it doesn’t seem natural or healthy to put that stuff in my veins. I’d be completely comfortable if they could just take a couple of units of blood or take the plasma & platelets, but not give me anything back.
The first time I donated, I was Vegan & was told that I shouldn’t donate without a “solid meal with /real/ food”. My iron failed the copper test, but passed the spin one. This time, after being mostly Raw (basically only fruits and veggies) for weeks and then completely raw for the past few days, my iron sunk in the copper like a rock. It was at 44%.
Officially killed the vegetarian myth. It’s all about leafy greens.
I didn’t get cold at all, not dizzy, no discomfort, and didn’t get any sort of metallic taste in my mouth. It took about 40 minutes for the actual donation, and afterwards I just left ‘cause I haven’t ever needed the recovery time. I needed a nap a five or so hours later, but that might just be because I was out walking for three hours and it was quite hot out.
Next donation is in September. Hopefully travel vaccines won’t bar that one off. I know that when I get back from overseas next May, I’ll be on the deferred list for a year. So after the next two, I’ll mark this goal as completed.

I may have missed 1 or 2 in there but since the Red Cross is good about calling/emailing when I’m due…and since my church hosts a lot of blood drives..between the 2 I’m pretty darn regular about “the big suck” :)

It really is one of the easiest ways to be selfless there is.