If I am not able to give blood myself, I can sure help at the bloodmobile. Today was a good day as the city auditorium was transformed into a Red Cross convenient place to donate blood. I worked the registration desk with my good friend, Alice. The people donating are called to the next area where they are screened and tested. The ones able to donate are then led to a vacant table and made comfortable.
After they fill up a bag with their blood, they are escorted to an area set up like a lunch room and fed sandwiches and chips and pickles and snacks and drinks. The volunteers are encouraged to partake in the fare, but since I eat gluten free there is usually not much I could snack on anyway. But it is fun to watch the folks munching and visiting until they are told it is okay for them to go when they are ready.
There is truly a need for blood, and I admire the people who share with others like this. The one and only time I be-bopped into a Red Cross bloodmobile years ago, I was on the table a long time, long enough to watch people on each side of me come and go several times. Finally the lab tech told me I can't give blood, they couldn't even get a third of what they get from others. My itty bitty veins don't cut the mustard, or in this case, the blood. But that doesn't keep me from helping in my own way.
9 comments:
I give blood regularly. Mine is O Negative, which means that anyone can have it without getting a reaction, even newborn babies! This thought keeps me going back.
I can't give blood because I had hepatitis in the 80s and now they don't want it. I would give otherwise. Good for you for volunteering! :-)
giving blood is def giving life...and you never know who might need it and if you wait it might be too late...i am needle sqwemish but i have done it...
People need to be encouraged to give blood. I understand the blood banks are currently very low. Mrs. C. and I gave often before certain health issues made this impossible. This is such a worthy cause.
Good for you! Doing what you can. My husband's like you - hardly a drip. It's too bad, because he's type O+, universal donor. I, on the other hand, gush like a fire hydrant. The phlebotomists joke it's like Christmas :). Except all I've ever gotten was juice and crackers. I want to donate at your drive!
The Red Cross is so important. Hats off to you for volunteering!
My mom and step-dad were huge donors-- My step-dad actually gave more than 30 GALLONS in his lifetime, something he was very, very proud of. Mom wasn't far behind but due to health issues sh had to stop donating a few years ago. She volunteers now to work instead.
Have a great weekend, xo jj
Hi CiCi, your awesome, stopping in to say hi and let you know I am thinking about you, hope to be back more in the fall...i am well, summer has been crazy busy....it seems like fewer hours in the day. hugs to you.
You are such a generous person. I love how you found a way to give of yourself in spite of the fact that you can't donate blood!
CiCI.. so good of you to help out. You know, I was told the same thing... that I have tiny veins (I do) and that I shouldn't bother. I opted to ignore the ones who tell me that, and I have since learned that there are ways to make accessing the blood a lot easier.
Drink a fair bit of water the hour or two before donating to help plump up the veins. Take a walk before hand to get the blood pumping.
A few technicians have sent me on my way through the years but more often than not, I fill the bag. And most recently, it only takes about one and a half times longer than most everyone else.. it used to take about 3 or 4 times longer.
If you feel up to it, why not give it another shot. First read up on what makes it easier to donate. The worst that can happen is that they still tell you not to bother. The best that can happen is you can offer up your red stuff to someone.
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