Giving Blood.

I think the last time I donated blood, I was in high school. Queasiness and nausea overcame me and it wasn't a good experience. Actually, that experience is the cause of my aversion to apple juice. They made me drink a whole cup when I was feeling slightly lightheaded. It was just too much, too fast and it made things worse.

Anyway, that aside... I know it's been too long, but the bad experience mixed with international living and travel have given me excuses to avoid being pricked. But several months ago, I learned that M regularly donates his blood about once every couple of months and felt that guilty feeling that I knew should be doing it too. So a couple of months ago, I asked him to let me know the next time he was going. He called on Tuesday and told me he was going. Talk about no warning. Good thing I'd eaten well that day.

We went over to the Stake Center, where the blood drive was being held. I can't deny that I was a little nervous, considering my last experience. But everything went smoothly and we were lucky to have a really good phlebotomist. She was able to find my vein expertly, which I've been told (and have experienced) is quite a task.

Despite the fact that I got a little queasy afterward, overall it was great and I'm happy I did it. I think it will become a fairly regular thing. Having that great satisfaction that you're helping someone is worth three minutes of queasy sweats.

From the Red Cross website:
Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation. When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.

To learn more about blood donation opportunities, visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).