Blood Donation

Just donated blood yesterday after about 10 years. I tried to donate last year but I couldn't because I was just in Costa Rica and have to wait for a year after returning before being able to donate. Malaria scare! The other years I was too busy having babies...

Usually when I go to donate blood, I can only give blood half of the time. I am on the border line of being low in iron. So when I went there, they prick your finger for a drop of blood, they put it in some liquid, can't remember what it is. If it sinks, you have enough iron in your blood. So mine was sinking and half way down, some floats to the surface. Ok, I thought, what is going on. So they do another proper test and everything is ok, the iron levels are sufficient!! Sometimes it is frustrating when you go and want to give and then can't donate.

So I give my blood. I always stress when they put the "big" needle in, took about 6 minutes for the pint of blood, I heard someone else it took a couple of minutes... I had an audience of 3 little Edgintons watching patiently. After donation they give you juice and cookies but the 3 of them all got cookies and juice before hand as they got stickers that said "Future Donors". Not a bad thing.

The whole thing took about an hour, they recommend having lots of water the day of donation and eat iron rich foods before hand so you don't have the iron problem I have.

I write this to share my experience. I know lots of you can and do donate blood and others do not. It is a little gift that you can share with other. One of those gifts that nature gave to us. Why not share it with others. Only an hour of your time. In some instances the blood donation center comes to your place of work and you don't even have to drive!! Think about it, some day you might need the blood. My dad's surgery had the potential of being postponed as they did not have enough blood for surgery. I encourage you to share your gift with others.