Donate Blood!

[asterroc]

Last time I tried to donate blood, I was rejected in the screening process because I was on antibiotics. I just got an email (since I signed up via the web last time) reminding me that if I gave blood then, I'm eligible again now. Maybe near the end of next week, in the middle of my finals week, I can make the time to go. If not, then after I turn in grades.

Donating blood is very important to me. My Nga Boo (grandma) has received something like 5 blood transfusions in as many years and wouldn't be alive today without them. Ever since I was old enough (age 17, I believe) I've tried to donate blood. At first I was too light, and later I was too busy. Shamefully I've only made the time thrice ever to donate blood. For most people, donating blood is a really quick process - after the paperwork you're in and out in fifteen minutes. It takes me an hour just for sufficient blood to drip out, and then I invariably have to wait another half hour to an hour until I can stand without fainting. I haven't yet had to drive after, but I know it takes a while for me to function normally after. This means I have to set aside something like four hours, half a work day, to be able to give blood at all, and sadly I have a hard time doing so. Every time I go I fear that they'll reject me on weight, or iron, or antibiotics. And yet, I want to try, again and again.

You, do it too! Go donate blood for those times I was rejected. Donate for all the friends and family you have who received transfusions. Donate for the transfusions you yourself will need. Donate for all the money you couldn't send, all the time you couldn't take, to help people devastated by Katrina, by the South Asian tsunami, by the Kashmiri earthquake. It will be easier for you than for me. It'll take you fifteen minutes to donate, and less than that to sign up online through the American Red Cross, AABB (American Association of Blood Banks?), or America's Blood Centers.

Comments

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

:-\ I hope (for the sake of your health) that it's the "lifestyle" questions on the survey that screen you out. I understand they're just playing the odds there, but it doesn't make me happy. <shrug>

For others who may not be aware of that aspect of blood donation screening:

You should not give blood ... if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.
You are at risk for getting infected if you:
* are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977 ...
* have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above
(American Red Cross)

I will donate myself (my blood, I mean) when I get time, but that's never as soon as I'd like, and the more the better. Ask a friend or co-worker to donate!

[rosefox]

Yep. I like queer boys too much to be allowed to save lives.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Hah! Y'know, as I was typing my previous comment, I was half expecting that you'd reply that you ARE a queer boy. :)

[rosefox]

Not this week. *)