Give blood regularly

as a way to give in memory of those that died.

Yes, like the Red Cross gal on the phone said, “Go on a Monday,” you can just walk right in. And I did. I was seen right away, went into the room for the pin prick and iron test, answered the ?s on the computer, (the nutty but important questions about having sex with a transvestite or something like that). There’s a question about babesience or some word like that. I have to google that term; it always cracks me up.

Long story short, I was at the snacks table an hour later and out the door 1 hr, 15 minutes later. Met some nice people too.

So, I’m about two weeks late, but I will stop in the Red Cross Donation Center tomorrow. My goal for this year was to give every two months and I’ve met that goal, give or take a couple of weeks.

I am still going to keep this goal on my list as a reminder and as a motivator. I don’t need motivation for the physical act of giving blood—- that’s cinch and it really doesn’t hurt at all. The difficult part is driving (not being on auto-pilot and going straight home) to the donation center (and it’s not that far from work or home) and the waiting.

In June, I had an appointment and I was waiting for over an hour and then was told 45 more minutes.I left.

I had things to do that day. I found a blood drive with some goodies a week later and attended that one.

Goodies? What goodies you say? Nowadays most blood drives through Red Cross offer some kinds of incentive: KFC, Daphne’s, Wahoos coupons for free meals, tacos, etc. Last time I got two Angel’s tickets and at a most recent blood drive in the LA area one could get Poison/another 80’s band ticket(s) (only one per person,though.)

I know goodies aren’t the reason to donate blood, but I think incentives are good to bring people in to see how easy and painless it is. I just wish the wait wasn’t/isn’t so long. I think that turns many people off.

So, I’ll be back tomorrow w/ news of wait times and other particulars.

i want to donate blood regularly in australia.
as iam have been donating blood regularly from many years in india.
so i want to donate blood here in australia as well. IT IS A MESSAGE AND A HEARTLY REQUEST TO ALL OTHER PEOPLE WHO READ THESE FEW WORDS,
JUST DO IT!! DONATE BLOOD REGULARLY!! IT CAN SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE!!MAY BE ATLEAST ONE…..

....I was denied for low iron. :( I’m usually borderline and they have to stick me twice, but this time I failed. I’ve started taking a multi-vitamin, but I’m not very consistent about it. Need to take it everyday for a month, then make an appt to try again. First week in Sept. then.

I tried to give blood for the first time last week, as I just turned 17 almost a month ago, and our school was having a blood drive. I was cleared on my medical history, ID, hemoglobin (which was 16 mg/dl, extremely high for a 17 year old vegan girl), and HIV. I was nervous to donate for the first time. My heart rate was 103. The maximum acceptable HR is 100. FML.

My aunt donates as much as she can. She’s in her 50s, so by now she has indented scars on both arms from the needle :P

My sister has been a regular blood donor for a few years, this has inspired me to set a goal to donate blood at least 3 times a year.

I started donating blood at 17. Although I really hate needles, I want overcome this by becoming a regular blood donor.

I haven’t been on 43 things for so long! :o) I last gave blood on 4th December 2008, it was a freezing day so that needle in my arm felt extra-sensitive! I got the flu 3-4 days later, though I was overdue to be ill! I managed to recruit two friends into donating too, it was great!
My next appointment is 6th May but it was booked when I used to live 250 miles away from where I do now so I may need to rebook that!

I gave a gift from the heart :) Got a long-sleeved Boston Bruins “bleed black & gold” shirt for my trouble. The last few times I’ve gotten a tshirt for giving blood, I’ve given it away. This one I’m keeping :)

I miss the American Red Cross. Since I’ve moved back to New York City, I’ve had to work with the New York Blood Center. The people from the American Red Cross treated their donors with so much more respect.

I feel like a piece of meat when I donate now.