Give blood!
I feel UTTERLY AMAZING right now.
Why do I feel so UTTERLY AMAZING?
I gave blood, darn it!
Yeah, that's right, I'm a blood donor. And I'm proud to be one. I never wanted to donate in high school because of this one particular friend--she kept telling me whenever she gave blood that she could actually feel the life draining from her. That's an actual quote, people. That comment got to me at such an extent that I physically couldn't bring myself to give blood. When I got to college last year, I noticed a flier up stating that there was going to be a blood drive at the Rec center. I emailed my parents about it, and they both told me that they had been blood donors, and it wasn't as bad as people thought. So I decided to give it a try.
So far, I've given blood 4 times. And I'm so glad that I give! I know that someone out there needs my blood to keep on living--they've just gone through a life-saving surgery, been in an accident, and I helped to save their life. Isn't that a powerful thought? Did you know that every 2 seconds, someone out there needs blood? No, I'm not talking about vampires or anything like that (o.O). And did you know that at least 3 people can be saved with just ONE donation. So far, I've saved 12 people. Isn't that another powerful thought?
Today was the fastest that I've given blood. I got there at about 11:30, did the finger prick thing (I almost wasn't able to give because my iron was pretty low--however, they measured it and my iron was at 39%, and the minimum amount of iron needed to make a donation is 38%, so I was in the clear!) which actually hurts me more than the actual needle, for some reason. But even that went well...I was talking to the nurse who was helping me and she had a Michigan State lanyard on, so I started telling her about how my family roots for state (except for Sam, of course, stupid Michigan fan...), my best friend goes to state, and I somehow end up dating a Michigan fan (she laughed at you, Brandon, ha ha ha). So when she did the pokey thingie, I was so wrapped up in our conversation that I didn't even register the pain until she put the bandaid on. I answered all of the questions (which always make me laugh..."have you been to Africa?" "in the past 12 months, have you paid a prostitute or any other concubine for sexual favors?" "in the past 12 months, have you had sexual contact with a man who may have had sexual contact with another man?" I know these questions are relevent, but COME ON.), and then I went out to the table. I saw Johanna there, and as it was her first time giving blood, I went over and talked to her a little. I know I had been nervous as hell the first time I gave blood, but she seemed just fine. I'm so proud of her! I was a little angry at the nurse who put the needle in, though...usually, they tell you a joke or get you to laugh or tell you to take a breath so that you're distracted from the needle going in. But she didn't do any of that. She just put the needle in--it didn't hurt, but I was a tiny bit miffed that she wouldn't give me any warning. But I laid there and sang along with the radio and looked at the celing...and then all of a sudden, one of the nurses came over and said "all right, you're done!" I just looked at her like...wait, what? I had made a full donation of blood (usually something that takes anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes) in a little under 6 minutes. So I went, got some food, and came back to the room. Then, at about 1:30, I took a really really good nap...and I actually just woke up
Anyway...what's the point of this? The point is: give blood. Please. It's really easy, it doesn't hurt, and you're helping to save some lives. Plus, you get free cookies and punch! What more incentive do you need?
...on a side note, anyone else find it kind of ironic that they were serving RED punch today?
Why do I feel so UTTERLY AMAZING?
I gave blood, darn it!
Yeah, that's right, I'm a blood donor. And I'm proud to be one. I never wanted to donate in high school because of this one particular friend--she kept telling me whenever she gave blood that she could actually feel the life draining from her. That's an actual quote, people. That comment got to me at such an extent that I physically couldn't bring myself to give blood. When I got to college last year, I noticed a flier up stating that there was going to be a blood drive at the Rec center. I emailed my parents about it, and they both told me that they had been blood donors, and it wasn't as bad as people thought. So I decided to give it a try.
So far, I've given blood 4 times. And I'm so glad that I give! I know that someone out there needs my blood to keep on living--they've just gone through a life-saving surgery, been in an accident, and I helped to save their life. Isn't that a powerful thought? Did you know that every 2 seconds, someone out there needs blood? No, I'm not talking about vampires or anything like that (o.O). And did you know that at least 3 people can be saved with just ONE donation. So far, I've saved 12 people. Isn't that another powerful thought?
Today was the fastest that I've given blood. I got there at about 11:30, did the finger prick thing (I almost wasn't able to give because my iron was pretty low--however, they measured it and my iron was at 39%, and the minimum amount of iron needed to make a donation is 38%, so I was in the clear!) which actually hurts me more than the actual needle, for some reason. But even that went well...I was talking to the nurse who was helping me and she had a Michigan State lanyard on, so I started telling her about how my family roots for state (except for Sam, of course, stupid Michigan fan...), my best friend goes to state, and I somehow end up dating a Michigan fan (she laughed at you, Brandon, ha ha ha). So when she did the pokey thingie, I was so wrapped up in our conversation that I didn't even register the pain until she put the bandaid on. I answered all of the questions (which always make me laugh..."have you been to Africa?" "in the past 12 months, have you paid a prostitute or any other concubine for sexual favors?" "in the past 12 months, have you had sexual contact with a man who may have had sexual contact with another man?" I know these questions are relevent, but COME ON.), and then I went out to the table. I saw Johanna there, and as it was her first time giving blood, I went over and talked to her a little. I know I had been nervous as hell the first time I gave blood, but she seemed just fine. I'm so proud of her! I was a little angry at the nurse who put the needle in, though...usually, they tell you a joke or get you to laugh or tell you to take a breath so that you're distracted from the needle going in. But she didn't do any of that. She just put the needle in--it didn't hurt, but I was a tiny bit miffed that she wouldn't give me any warning. But I laid there and sang along with the radio and looked at the celing...and then all of a sudden, one of the nurses came over and said "all right, you're done!" I just looked at her like...wait, what? I had made a full donation of blood (usually something that takes anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes) in a little under 6 minutes. So I went, got some food, and came back to the room. Then, at about 1:30, I took a really really good nap...and I actually just woke up
Anyway...what's the point of this? The point is: give blood. Please. It's really easy, it doesn't hurt, and you're helping to save some lives. Plus, you get free cookies and punch! What more incentive do you need?
...on a side note, anyone else find it kind of ironic that they were serving RED punch today?