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 th...
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