O positive! 2 days ago

I’m afraid to give blood, but I want to. Just like I was afraid to get a tattoo on my calve, and despite how painful it was I sat through it. If I can sit for 3 hours getting a tattoo, I can sit for five minutes getting my blood drawn to save someones life. I actually really hope I’m a universal blood type, so I can give all the time. 2 days ago

I’ve been preparing for a month this time, after a previous attempt was unsuccessful, so was nervous for two reasons:
1) the obvious, new experience, needle, will it hurt, will I pass out
2) really wanting to just get it done and not be rejected again

During this month and especially the last week I ate a lot of beef, lamb, chickpeas, lentils, tofu + vitamin C-rich fresh orange juice, capsicum and carrots.

During the initial check, before testing my hemoglobin, the nurse tested my heart rate, and found that it was a little too high (104) to be able to donate, but she said that’s common on a first donation and we’ll measure that again later to see if it drops. My hemoglobin turned out okay – 129. The minimum to be allowed to donate is 120 and last time I was 118. Still not super-high so it looks like I really need to work at it to be eligible, but good news for this time.

I then sat in the donating area, chatted a little to my friend who was donating plasma (and was fine), read a book and tried to control my breathing. The nurse came back and measured my pulse manually and it was still too high. I knew it would be fine but I couldn’t help being nervous! After more attempts to calm down, some water, and a brief call to my girlfriend I finally managed to get it down to 98. So finally I was allowed to do it.

And it went fine – more to come in the How I Did It. 2 weeks ago

This time it went well, but I still almost fainted and what I was amazed of is that The day after I still felt a bit ill. I can’t imagine what it feels like when you loose litres of blood! It feels good to help someone with some blood of mine. 2 weeks ago

I was well excited to give blood today buzzing about it doing something amazing that wiull help save lives. I got to the venue (granted I should have checked first) only to find stairs my bro went down to ask about this only to be told that as a wheelchair user I wasnt able to give blood, due to health & safety reasons. This was despite my brother saying he would be able to help me outta the chair on on to the bed. I was also told 3 weeks ago when i9 rang the helpline that their would not be any issues with the chair aslong as someone was there to help me . So in closing I’m absolutely gutted that I wasn’t able to donate if I’d of been told this in the first place I wouldn’t have gone :( 2 weeks ago

I have given blood several times. The military actually has the Red Cross come to Units and do blood draws from soldiers. My first time was back at boot camp (Parris Island). We went in, gave blood, and were then given juice and cookies.

Since then, the Red Cross has shown up at different units I have been with and drawn blood. It is a good program that saves lives, and you won’t regret doing it. 2 weeks ago

Well 43Terw the big day is tomorrow…I give blood for the 1st but defo noot the last time. I’m excited to be doing such a great thing that is going to help loads of people :) 2 weeks ago

... due to parasite that is due to appear in cute form in October. 3 weeks ago

I give blood on the 30th April for the first time. It gives me an amazing feeling knowing that I am doing something that is going to save lives :) 4 weeks ago

For May 1. I really hope the iron will be fine by then. I’m going with a friend who is used to it and comfortable donating. I was partly inspired by a Facebook event of a friend of a friend who is trying to organise 64 donations in 50 days. They’ve had 24 so far in 22 days. I hope I can add to the tally. 1 month ago