Sharing a pint at lunchtime is common in some circles, but not something I typically do during my school lunch period. But today I did.
Massachusetts General Hospital's mobile blood van pulled into the school parking lot 8 a.m. and stayed until to 2 p.m.
Four phlebotomists worked steadily, drawing a pint from each of us who mounted the steps to enter the air-conditioned vehicle. We gave blood straight from the heart, both literally and figuratively.
Giving blood isn't a big deal. Really.
It's painless after the initial prick in the crook of your arm. The needle is taped in place and connected to plastic tubing that ends in a plastic pouch. When the pouch is full-- a pint equals a pound-- you're disconnected.
After the intake screening, it takes no longer than fifteen minutes to lose a pound. Then you get a drink and cookies.
That's it.
Still, a pint is no small amount. Take a look at 16 ounces of water. Two cups. It looks like a lot. While healthy adults can lose that volume with little to no problem, it will take a while for blood counts to return to pre-donation levels.
Plasma volume returns to normal within a day. Red blood cells will be back to pre donation level in three to five weeks, and iron is replenished within six to eight weeks.
Giving blood isn't a big deal. For you.
But for the person who receives it, it's a very big deal, often the difference between life and death.
Someone needs blood every two seconds, according to the American Red Cross, but only about five percent of eligible donors actually give.
My father gave regularly. I don't think my mother ever did. This was my second time. But it won't be my last. I'm not type O+, the universal donor, for nothing.
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*Donation given in memory of Matthew Westfield, oldest son of a friend and colleague who died more than twenty-years ago from leukemia at age seven.
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ABC Wednesday is brought to you by: Mrs. Nesbitt's Place
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The only gift is a portion of thyself. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Comments
I am unable to donate because of high BP from kidney disease. Perhaps one day if I can get it under control a donation can be made.
But I had to give up donating as I kept being ill- fainting, being sick, running to the loo(!) afterwards. No matter what I ate or drank before and after or how much I rested. In the end they said I shouldn't any more :(
By the way, I wanted to answer your comment on my ABCW post. Re "backward design" - when I took that course and this thing came up, I listened and read intently, realizing that I already did that all the time! lol It really IS the natural way of doing things. And over the years, I've seen so many changes in "style" and "technique" that I find it funny when they think they've come up with something "new" and it's what we did eons ago! I'm sure you've found that, too! :D
Thanks for the lovely comment on my ABC Wednesday ``palm'' post.
Thank God for faithful doners.
Helena~ Not worth it. Probably would have taken its toll if you'd continued despite the symptoms.
Tere~ You raise an excellent point. Convenience was the key for me. That and having someone cover my class while I donated. Can you imagine that having my blood drained is more appealing than teaching? ;>)
David! I enjoy the variety on your blog. Mine is essays. Yours is all sorts of things.
Leslie~ We can vouch for the fact that there is nothing new under the sun, and that we'd done it before it had a name.
Lisa~ You feel for my pint of beer trap. :>) That's what I intended, but I figured the picture would have given it away. But . . . you're busy moving, and that's a great excuse.
Dave~ Thanks. Remind me. I will need that nudge next year when I won't be at school to see the van.
Wanda~ I'm so glad the blood of other's saved your daughter. That must have been an awful experience. With a good outcome!
O positive here! Go for the biscuits LOL!