Little Red Umbrella

[naamah_darling]

Today I slapped on my Supergirl shirt and got holes poked in me for the benefit of people I will never meet. I did it for love; for the love other people have for that person I'll never meet, and for the love I have for people I know who've been saved by transfusions. I did it because I can't pay back the people who gave blood to save members of

Comments

[graciebaby_]

my last two times I got rejected... once for not being able to fill the pint? low blood pressure? the second for having been out of the country...

I think it's time though...my dad has the rare, all accepting blood...but his meds keep him from donating any longer...but he did regularly for YEARS..

I loved the storm description...I miss those monsoon seasons...

good for you!

[labelleizzy]

I would like to donate but not sure I can. they had a blood drive at the school I teach at, and the list of "reasons why you can't ever" included having visited the UK during Mad Cow season...

but I guess I can always call and try.

[graciebaby_]

yeah...I would make a call, or you can have it tested can't you?

I was in Costa Rica, considered a "third world country". so that dis-qualified me for one year.

[naamah_darling]

Yeah, call and ask. Depending on where/when you were, it might just be an issue of cumulative time. One visit isn't always enough to prevent donating.

[teacupdiaries]

Thank you for reminding me to call my local centre!

In previous years I've always been disqualified due to recent tattoos, piercings, or trips out of the country, but this year I DO qualify and I've been meaning to go donate.

*makes a note in my diary*

[inkandalchemy]

Hmmm. Thank you for the reminder to try again. I've been rejected in past for severely low iron (I think it's s'posed to be 27% and mine was at 16%...) but possibly some various things may have remedied that. I will make an appointment for next week.

You are always such an inspiration. ^_^

[luminousshadows]

I have O neg blood .. and it's the type that can be given to babies so they are calling my house every 57 days to make a donation! I love it though.

Sometimes I think they should just stick a spout in my arm and leave it there. It's one small thing I can do that is totally unselfish of me and yet makes me feel so damn good.

[naamah_darling]

That's awesome. I'm just B+, but I'm CMV negative, so they like me to come in because my squeaky-clean blood is good for chemo patients and such. I like that.

I give blood so much for thyroid tests and donations every year I keep thinking a little spigot might not be a bad idea!

[shadowflyer]

You and I are the same blood type - the most common type among eastern European Jewish people, if you're feeling trivia-deprived. :)

[naamah_darling]

Also among Asians, and . . . ahh, some other subgroup I'm forgetting.

I keep wondering if I could ever get a complete list of all my other factors and sub-types. I find that kind of thing just fascinating.

[otterevil]

I've never given before, but I do plan on it when I'm eligible again in 2008. Have to wait 5 years after having radiation treatments, and I had my last one in September 02. Figured I'd wait and make it my 2008 New Year's resolution - or I may go in December in preparation for the idiots of New Year's celebrations. All the poking I got before, during, and after my surgery got me mostly over the needle squick. When they draw my blood for regular tests, I can't watch the needle go in though - I can watch the blood come out, no problem, but the needle still makes me a bit queasy to watch.

[naamah_darling]

Awesome. That'd be really cool if you did that!

I can't watch the needle go in, either. Know when I get really freaked out? I always lose it when I have to take the bandage off, hours later. That almost made me faint last time, and this time, too. I have NO idea why!

[eremophobic]

Oh, man, I'm not crazy. The bandage removal is the part that gets me too. I can watch the needle go in with no problem, and I'm not squicky about blood, but taking off the bandage and seeing the open hole is the part that always had the highest chance of me losing it. To my credit, this was after donating plasma and not blood. I believe what they told me was that plasma donation uses a 16 gauge needle, while blood is a 20. So the plasma hole's a little more impressive. Still, after thirty donations in four months, you'd think I'd have been over that.

[naamah_darling]

And it stays in longer, so the hole is open longer, too.

Man, I'm feeling faint just THINKING about it.

And . . . YIII!!! 16 gauge is damn near the same gauge as my piercing. WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Sorry. Momentary attack of the squicks.