donate blood again

I totatly planned on donating blood today at 6:00, so I did some research online for tips and read that you can’t drink alcohol within 48 hours before donating. Well stupid me got pretty darn drizunk last night not even thinking that it would effect me donating blood. So not going to happen for awhile…

Next week there are two blood drives going on in town, one of which is on my day off, so I should definitly go. I’m a little nervous…

the last time i donated made me feel so good about myself…. i’d like to do it again, except this time i’m not going to drink afterwards!!

There was a blood drive in town today. I’d signed up for it at the last one (where I was refused due to elevated blood pressure that day). Today my blood pressure was fine so I was able to donate again. Didn’t take that long either, was in and out within an hour.

Next time for me to donate will be July 10th.

Now I’m going to pursue the goal Donate Blood Regularly.

I got to donate and this time didn’t even come close to passing out! (Having breakfast FIRST isn’t such a bad idea.)

I got to work early today (and that’s a story in itself) and saw signs for a blood drive. Whoo Hoo!!! So I went to donate, not thinking that I hadn’t had my breakfast yet, but had taken my diabetes medication.

Donating was no problem. Then I got up and had a few cookies and a bunch of fruit juice. I got maybe 100 feet from the blood drive before I collapsed into waiting room chairs for Neurology. Everything was swimming and I was losing consciousness. One of the last things I remember hearing was “That fool came in here stoned”

Then a nurse from the blood drive came over and got me back onto a gurney. They poured a bit of sugar into me, elevated my legs and gave me fluids.

Next time I’ll take my meds AFTER I donate and eat.

I called and made an appointment since I had missed a neighborhood blood drive in December. It was easy. I called 1-800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) The Red Cross has a center close by me. I’ve donated before and always feel good about it. I know everyone is not able to give, but if you can, you should! As I was waiting there I was reading the following things on my donor card. I thought I’d share a few of these with you.

One blood donation can save up to 5 lives.
Only 5% of the eligible US population donates blood.
Every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood.
Less than 30% of the people who give blood once will ever give blood again.
Donated blood only lasts for 42 days
You can donate blood as many as 6 times a year.

Hope this inspires you to give blood!

I work for a large organization involved in health care. I work across the street from a major hospital. It appears that we have no blood donation facility in the area!

Guess I’m going to have to be more proactive about this.

But I’ve gotten out of the habit. I can donate blood across the street from where I work. Steve Barnett’s example reminded me that this is something I value, and it can save lives. I admire his consistency at pursuing this – so this is now on my list.