They're doing a blood drive in my building today and I hadn't given in a while so I thought I'd go. So, I did.
I love giving blood. Really. I HATE needles and the finger pricking for the iron test is almost as upsetting to me as the needle stick to drain my blood. But otherwise, I love it. I love the people who work and volunteer at blood banks. I like filling out my form. I like feeling good about doing something so easy that can help so much. Totally gives me a smug do gooder feel (I advise any of my friends in NY to avoid me for the day while I bask in my smug awesomeness, it's really quite insufferable). Though one of my friends enjoys my blood donating days as I get drunk way quicker and he's a bad, bad man.
I started back in high school. Hawai'i does the blood bank thing well. They have (had?) a focus of getting you in young. Lots of high school blood drives and things. I remember even a huge blood donating festival or two with local comedians and musicians and all performing and such, trying to get the young interested and involved. I still have some Hawai'i Blood Bank t-shirts in a box in my basement somewhere (you know, the box of clothes I'll fit back into one day. Ha!). Also, I made a friend at Punahou back then who was in remission. She was a big volunteer at the blood drives. And a good face for the people you don't meet who you help with your blood. Everytime I give I think of her. And others. As you get older the list of people you know who need blood or platelets or plasma grows.
Anyway, once I started I kept giving. And my high school friends are big dorky donors as well. Lots of fun stories of blood letting with them. Tangerine and I once were at the Hawai'i blood bank when some guy came in trying to sell his blood. But this was a volunteer center. And the woman at the front desk mustered more smugness than even I can do on blood donating days to say, "People here VOLUNTEER their blood." I'm a little more sympathetic as an adult to the plight of people who need money however they can get it, but at the time I was very proud to be giving my blood in exchange for nothing more than cookies. And my insufferable smugness. Sorry.
Pumpkin and I can get a little annoying (or amusing?) at blood banks. We both fill our blood bags pretty quickly and a couple times when we've given together we've tried to get the folks at the blood bank to do us at the same time so we could race. Some were amused, some annoyed. No one really would humor us though. But, I always think of her when I give and someone comments on how fast it's going. Sometimes they stick me, set me up and walk away saying they'll be back in 10-15. I tell them they'll want to come back earlier and they roll their eyes. Today two of the aids working with me were mocking me and my book saying I hadn't even turned the page yet and had almost filled my blood bag. They said I wasn't going to get much reading done. They were right.
I like the people at blood banks too. Some are paid, some are volunteers, but they've always been nice. And big on saying thank you. I haven't been to the blood bank in the Port Authority in a while, but the juice & cookie volunteers there were awesome. On your first time there they'd take your picture and put it on a bulletin board. And then as you'd come back they'd put colored stars on for each visit. And they are QUITE the juice and cookie pushers there.
I love the juice table too. So cute with the juice boxes and mini packs of cookies and all. Today I had fruit punch and shortbread cookies, because they MAKE you sit at the juice table for a while no matter how you feel. I don't have much of an adverse reaction to giving blood. I might feel a twinge of lightheadness at times, but overall I'm all good. No worries. One time in high school Pumpkin and I donated and then went right back to the theatre to continue building a set. Until the Techincal Director saw our telltale band-aids and made us sit down. We pouted. We felt fine and saw no reason we couldn't haul set pieces and equipment around. We can be a little bratty. But I do know some people react more strongly to blood donation and all and in my old age I try to be a bit better about sitting at the table, drinking my juice and putting everyone at peace.
Anyway, I gave blood today, loved it and have to be better about giving more regularly again. I'm up again March 19th. Gotta find a place to give near work or home. But first, more juice.
