Coffee, one of several fluids that I’ve already ingested this morning to prepare for today’s blood donation. If all goes well, this will be the 95th unit of blood I’ve donated. Because I’m negative for human cytomegalovirus, I qualify as a “hero for babies” and my blood can be used for newborns and infants. Giving blood was a lot easier when I was younger. Now it’s a project preparing ahead of time and recovering afterwards. Please donate blood if you can: we literally need fresh blood!
Thank you so much. The last time I gave blood was for the victims of Columbine. Since then, my doc says I’m near/am anemic & should not donate.
@LnzyHou I really hope that more young people are entering the blood donation pool. A friend of mine - ten years younger - is a very dedicated donor but like me, she has been told by her doctor to cut back in donations for the sake of her health.
I would give more too, but damn if that Mikster takes enough out of me each day.
I need to check myself for anemia.
Sorry, banal humor
@cassandra17lina I started in college as a challenge for myself. You see, my mother is a nurse but I didn't even like seeing blood back then. I learned to simply look away and my kidney stones taught me to manage the pain. It's next to nothing now.
95 units is fantastic! Keep it up, hero!
@cassandra17lina You are an unsung hero. I used to donate regularly but now that I'm on blood thinners they won't accept me. I do wish I still could donate.
@cassandra17lina Congratulations on number 95. You ARE a hero. Thank you for doing this and helping others. #Selfless
I was "banned" at the Red Cross because I spent more than two weeks in England during their "mad cow" disease situation.
That was 29y ago... I'm now 67; the last time I tried, in 2015, they still declined... and I thought that the associated disease had a 15-20y period.
(sigh)
@zenmudprod that seems excessively cautious… yet at the same time, the Red Cross is howling about the need for blood.
@cassandra17lina 👏🏾