Social Responsibility
That’s a fancy title, but I couldn’t come up with anything more fitting at this late (early?) at night. I realized I haven’t blogged for awhile and the only news I have for today is that I gave blood at the Cary Red Cross office. Why do I let myself be stuck with a large needle and watch (not really – I watch the TV) a pint of my blood drain into a bag?
I didn’t start doing this until after I had kids. My mother mentioned she was a donor, and I thought it was a small thing that I could do that could possibly help somebody else. And it was a “golden rule” kind of thing: I’d like someone else to donate blood if one of MY family members needed it, so I would do the same thing. I’ve continued for years, so I believe I’m on my 4th gallon at this point. That’s pretty cool to think of.
You have to be 17 or older, at least 110 pounds, and then a bunch of other medical details (like no tattoos in 12 months, no hepatitis, no mad cow, and more). Does it hurt? There’s a bit of a sting at first, and I do notice that the needle is there, but it’s not something that lasts. Plus you get cookies and juice- 
– so they know you aren’t going to faint or feel lightheaded before you drive home. That’s uncommon, but it can happen, so drink lots of fluids the 24 hours or so before you donate, and then keep it up for another 24 hours afterwards. You can donate every 8 weeks.
I don’t have much time to volunteer, or I’d be at the ASPCA or the U.S.O at the airport. Blood donors are volunteers, too, though!
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Yeah, I realized that I haven’t commented that much, either, but that’s because I needed to update my own blog before commenting.
Anyways, I think donating blood is very benevolent, but I’m quite sensitive to all shots
And feeling faint or lightheaded won’t be good–I’ll have to have someone else drive me home. If I donate, I’ll wait until I’m in my 30’s.
And, by the way (not related to the subject), there are some cons of receiving blood. Once, when I was in China, I heard that a girl died because the doctors failed to identify the difference between the girl’s blod type and the blood type given to her. Risks
I don’t want to receive blood.
I believe that there are circumstances under which you may donate your own blood “ahead of time” for surgeries. That way, you are getting – yes – your own blood. Makes sense to me!