I LOVE TO GIVE BLOOD!!!

GIVE BLOOD TO HELP SAVE LIVES!!
Giving blood is SAFE, EASY and REALLY FUN!!! I started giving blood in November 1997, and thus far I've given two gallons.

SAFETY: Blood donation places these days are held to the strictest of medical safety standards. You can NOT contract AIDS or any other diseases by donating blood at an accredited place.

IT'S EASY: It's not hard to give blood, either. It usually takes me about 10 minutes to give a pint, which is the amount that is taken every time one gives. Before that, there is usually a 10 minute screening process to make sure I'm healthy enough to give blood and to be sure I haven't given blood in the past 8 weeks. The nurse takes a very small blood sample from my finger and tests it to make sure the iron level is high enough. Also, I get my blood pressure, temperature, and pulse taken.

When I'm ready to get my veins drained, I go to the comfy bed and the technician rubs some germ-killers on the arm of my choice (the one with the best vein). Then he or she applies a tourniquet and inserts the needle. All I have to do is lay there and squeeze a little ball every few seconds to keep the blood pumping well into the collecting bag.

LOTS OF FUN: Pretty soon it's all over. The technician takes a few extra samples of blood for lab testing (THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART!!!) and then removes the needle. After holding the insertion point in an elevated position for a few minutes, the bleeding has ceased and a bandage is applied to protect the area. Then ... it's snack time!

This is my second favorite part. A volunteer gives me juice or soda and encourages me to eat a cookie or two to get liquids and energy back into my body. After ten minutes in this canteen area, I'm all set to go. And after I rejuvenate my blood cells (it only takes about a day to replenish to plasma) and wait for eight weeks, I'm all set to give blood again!!