"May" We Tell You You ROCK?! (Remember! Both donors AND NON-donors are stars!)

[pharmagal]

I went and donated Plasma on Friday - and while I was there, the nurses had a special gift and round of applause for a lady who had just finished her 75th donation.  Impressive.

[Larrabee]

I went and donated Plasma on Friday - and while I was there, the nurses had a special gift and round of applause for a lady who had just finished her 75th donation.  Impressive.

My granddad gave his 75th donation at the same time as I gave my first, that was pretty cool. 

[miss_ann_thrope]

I donated last Friday! Been trying for the past year+, but my iron level was too low.

A friend came with me; she couldn't donate, but she did tweet it, and started a discussion about donating. A couple people said after that it made them go and donate, too.

 

[DottyG]

See that movement out of the corner of your eye?  That's DottyG doing a jig around the room at the lastest posts in here!

People who've donated 75+ gallons; people donating, telling others and, in turn, encouraging them to donate as well; someone whose iron has been too low in the past but was actually able to give this time (YAY!!!  I know that feeling - isn't it wonderful?!); someone who, instead of getting the kudos herself for what she has done for us, is thanking the donors for what they're doing; ....  This list is wonderful!!!

Y'all, seriously, you really do touch me with your stories.  Thank you to everyone in this thread; you're really making such a difference in so many ways.

[Just Lori]

Well, pooh.  I went to donate today and my hemoglobin was low.  I'm posting this to hold myself accountable. If I don't post an update saying I tried again in the next week or so, feel free to call me out.

I read that a little molasses on oatmeal can bring up your iron count.  Does anyone have any other suggestions?  I'd like to try again Monday or Tuesday.

I also want to share that my mom had some serious complications following knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago.  Her blood pressure plummeted and her heart even stopped, but thankfully they brought her back.  When I arrived at the hospital, she was pretty confused.  I was in the room during her blood transfusion, and the transformation was amazing.  She went from not knowing who I was to naming my kids, my dog and my birthday.  Who knows, maybe some of the transfused blood came from an Ehellion.  Strangers things have happened.

[Outdoor Girl]

I think it is vitamin C that helps with iron absorption from particularly vegetable sources.  Spinach and broccoli and other dark green leafy veggies are high in iron, as is red meat, of course, with the highest being liver.

My SIL used to take an all natural iron supplement that was a liquid.  It tasted horrendous so she'd take it with orange juice.  I'll wrack my brain for the name!

[EduardosGirl]

I feel really guilty but I can't donate for 6 months.

I got a new tattoo when I was in London a few weeks ago, so I'm not allowed. At least it's not the 12 month ban it used to be. I may need a transplant myself when mama sees the new tattoo anyway.

[DottyG]

HatStrap, you kinda made me giggle a bit at your comment! Hopefully your mom won't freak too much!

Just Lori, I'll keep you accountable and you keep me accountable, ok? I just tried to give. And my iron was......too low. AGAIN. I'm going to have to try again next week.

Your story about your mother was so cool, though. And who knows. It just might have been an EHellion - or the result of an EHellion's telling others - that resulted in the donation she got! How cool would that be?!

[DottyG]

A friend of mine from work donated this past weekend.  She sent me an email the next day to tell me that she thought of me when she gave.  That made me smile.
 
 

[StarDrifter]

Ace did his 20th donation the other day, and I did my 10th. Mum did her 30th and my brother did his first ever, with his new girlfriend, who is blood type O-negative, which is really rare around here, apparently.
All five of us coming in together, laughing and chatting unnerved the nurses a bit at first, because we have four last names between the five of us and it was late at night on a Thursday, so we clearly weren't a 'work' group. But once we explained how we were all related they thought it was great.

[DottyG]

That is wonderful!!! Yay for all of you! And a special "yay" to the O- donor. That is a rare but EXTREMELY VITAL type to have on hand. The ultimate "Universal Donor."

I'm adding y'all into our tally when I'm back on my real computer.

[Kitty_Cat]

I tried to donate today, but I have lost a little weight since the last time, so I was not allowed to donate.  I know that they have these rules for health reasons, but I still feel disappointed!

[DottyG]

Yeah. I know the feeling. The rules are there for us. But they can be frustrating when you really want to give. I don't have the weight problem, but that dang iron gets me so often.

You tried. I'd say that's still a huge accomplishment. And still worthy of a DottyG "WAY TO GO"!

[Kitty_Cat]

The blood center where I donate is connected to a research university. While I do not weigh enough to donate blood for patient use, I found out today that I am still allowed to donate blood for certain kinds of research because only a fraction of a cup is taken at a time. I'm glad that I can still do something! 

[DottyG]

That's great!  Both that there is a way for you to still help out and that you're willing to do so!  Research is so extremely important, so you're doing a world of good by donating to it.