I did it!
I've been scared to give blood - don't like pain. But, I went ahead and donated. And, I have to say that it wasn't anywhere near as horrible an experience as I've led myself to think all these years!
A couple of years ago, Dad had surgery. Although the doctor assured us that Dad wouldn't need any transfusions after the surgery, 3 days later, Dad got really pale and needed 2 units of blood after all. I was sitting in the chair next to him, looking at this bag of blood. And, it really hit home just how selfless someone was. Not only did they give up an hour of their time, but they actually gave a part of themselves, so that my loved Dad would be ok. It just really amazed me that someone could be so giving - and not even know how their blood would be used. They just gave. So, I made a promise that I'd start giving, too.
I had a bad experience in trying to give a few months ago. And, I ended up not doing it. But, after Dad's surgery, I actually went to the Blood Center here in town and donated. I got a guy who's been doing it for 14 years, and he was awesome. Didn't hurt a bit. (Actually, I have to say that the most painful part of the whole process was that dang blood pressure cuff! I hate having my blood pressure taken - it always hurts!)
I'd encourage everyone to give. It's really not that bad. I promise - and I'm a total wimp when it comes to pain! And, the thought of saving 2 lives with your donation is so incredible!
I'm thinking I might donate platelets next time. They really need those, and they go bad within 5 days of getting them.
I even got goodies! They were doing a promotion that weekend, so I got a quart of Blue Bell ice cream afterwards! Yummmmy!
I also got to finally find out my blood type. I'm O+.
Go donate blood! It's fun!
Please be sure to read the poignant, first-hand story on Page 10.
Here's a good chart as to who can get what type(s) of blood (and a game to see if you've got it down pat):Blood Types - Who Can Give To What Other Type JOIN THE EHELL CHALLENGE! ANYTHING YOU CAN DO FOR THE CAUSE IS IMPORTANT! See details on Pg 4!See catgal's posts on Pg 68 (Post #1010) and Pg 72 (Post #1078)! MAY EHELL CHALLENGE TALLY:
Returning Donors - YAY TO ALL OF YOU!
0 ( )New Donors - CONGRATULATIONS NEW DONORS!
0
( )Volunteers/People Providing Food for Donors/Etc - Y'ALL ARE SO VITAL TO THE PROCESS!
*
People EHellions Have Told In Their Communities About Donating - YOU ROCK!
*
Other (People who also need recognizing) - WAY TO GO, Y'ALL!
*
APRIL EHELL CHALLENGE TALLY:
Returning Donors - YAY TO ALL OF YOU!
49 (miss_ann_thrope (donated for the first time since 2012 - her iron finally cooperated!), TotterGirl (donates every 8 weeks! A regular donor!!!), snowfire (had to post one-handed, because she was donating at that very moment!), jedikaiti (her office's Blood Drive got 38 units of blood!!!), nutraxfornerves (gave her 75 donation - way to go!!!), one man in the waiting area with nutraxfornerves was donating, and his wife said, "what the heck" and went up and signed in herself!, kendo_bunny (a regular donor that was eligible again this month!), Bethczar (did aphoresis - YAY! And she says the nurses were tired, because they were so busy that day - I think being tired because of that is TERRIFIC!), Moralia (hadn't seen our thread before, but now she knows we're going to celebrate her donations with her!), JustLori and her husband both gave! )New Donors - CONGRATULATIONS NEW DONORS!
0
( )Volunteers/People Providing Food for Donors/Etc - Y'ALL ARE SO VITAL TO THE PROCESS!
*
People EHellions Have Told In Their Communities About Donating - YOU ROCK!
*
Other (People who also need recognizing) - WAY TO GO, Y'ALL!
* Doll Fiend posted a very sweet "thank you" to all our donors. Be sure to read it on Pg 94 (and another one on Pg 95)!
* Jones was going to donate, but the Drive was cancelled. Darn.

But the fact that she was going to go in makes her wonderful!
* Oh my goodness. You have to read the story from GreenEyedHawk on Pg 95. It is so sweet! Thank you for sharing that - AND for donating, GEH!
MARCH EHELL CHALLENGE TALLY:
Returning Donors - YAY TO ALL OF YOU!
8 ((We are STARTING OUT the month with 3 donations already! Outdoor Girl's coworkers donated today! There's a bit of a competition with the other offices, so WAY TO GO, Outdoor Girl's team!), Katana_Geldar (donated plasma! She wasn't able to do whole blood this month, but plasma is still just as needed - GREAT JOB!), Another one of Outdoor Girl's coworkers gave (WHOO HOOOO!), Snooks (31st donation AND she's in a trial to see if blood can be donated more often!), LadyDyani (got her 3 GALLON PIN!!!), Sharnita (gave plasma!!!) )New Donors - CONGRATULATIONS NEW DONORS!
0
( )Volunteers/People Providing Food for Donors/Etc - Y'ALL ARE SO VITAL TO THE PROCESS!
* Outdoor Girl provides treats for her coworkers who participate in the donation competition! I want OG to come to my location and bring treats! This is such a wonderful thing to do for them!
People EHellions Have Told In Their Communities About Donating - YOU ROCK!
*
Other (People who also need recognizing) - WAY TO GO, Y'ALL!
* Outdoor Girl cheers on her office in their competition with the other offices. Those cheers matter SO much! Trust me!!!
* Bottlecaps is looking into donating!!
FEBRUARY EHELL CHALLENGE TALLY:
Returning Donors - YAY TO ALL OF YOU!
9 (Just Lori - who actually donated at the end of January, but we're going to count her into Feb's total since she forgot to update the thread in time
, JacklynHyde (donated in honor of her friend's granddaughter who died 1/24 of cancer - what a wonderful tribute to her), Kendo_Bunny (donated her A+ blood!), Jones (ANOTHER person who donated their precious A+ blood! And she's back after a 3 year absence of giving - welcome back!); GreenEyedHawk (15 pints of A+ blood so far! That's incredible!); dawbs (donated blood herself and her kids got the cookies - sounds fair to me!
Congratulations!); katiescarlett (donated her B+ platelets AND she's back from her last donation since November! Welcome back to donating!
), StarDrifter's husband (780 ml of his precious O- blood AND is going to do a plasma donation in 3 weeks! YEA!), snowfire (donated platelets - this is sooo needed!), Mr. snowfire (donated a pint of whole blood at the same time his sweet wife was donating the platelets - y'all ROCK!) )
New Donors - CONGRATULATIONS NEW DONORS!
0 ( )
Volunteers/People Providing Food for Donors/Etc - Y'ALL ARE SO VITAL TO THE PROCESS!
*
People EHellions Have Told In Their Communities About Donating - YOU ROCK!
* Jones not only donated blood, but also posted a message on FB encouraging others to do so as well! This is a GREAT way to publicize the donation process!
Other (People who also need recognizing) - WAY TO GO, Y'ALL!
* Our lovely TICIA - who put the banner across the top of the forum to let everyone know it's time for our Donation Month - Ticia, you're super!!!* Katiescarlett - donates platelets every other month, is wearing red today in support of her little "heart babies" (Cameron and Emma) and is planning to donate this month! YEA KATIESCARLETT!!!* sunnygirl - can't donate blood herself due to medical reasons, but is a BIG supporter of the donation process! You totally ROCK!!!
* GreenEyedHawk - who's planning to donate on 2/16 after a hiatus due to getting over a cold - welcome back!* cutejellybeen - can't donate until next year because of an injection she received, BUT she found our thread AND is going to start donating next year even though she's always been scared of needles. We can help her through it and give her encouragement! GO CUTEJELLYBEEN!!!* Redwing - because of some medical issues, she's needed 7 pints of blood in the recent past. You need to read her story (post #1375 on Pg 92) for a great description of why what we're doing is so important. Thank you, Redwing.* Just Lori - her mother is in the hospital right now and is needing blood transfusions. Just Lori posted a very sweet "thank you" to everyone here for all you're doing (read her post on Pg 92, #1377)
JANUARY EHELL CHALLENGE TALLY:
Returning Donors - YAY TO ALL OF YOU!
32 (SamiHami - donated blood AND found out she's still able to donate platelets!; Sharnita - platelets! YEA!; jedikaiti organized a blood drive and got (ready for this?) THIRTY DONATIONS!!!)New Donors - CONGRATULATIONS NEW DONORS!
0
( )Volunteers/People Providing Food for Donors/Etc - Y'ALL ARE SO VITAL TO THE PROCESS!
*
People EHellions Have Told In Their Communities About Donating - YOU ROCK!
*
Other (People who also need recognizing) - WAY TO GO, Y'ALL!
*
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DATA MOVED TO PG 44
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DATA MOVED TO PG 46
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DATA MOVED TO PG 56
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DATA MOVED TO PG 68
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DATA MOVED TO PG 80
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DATA MOVED TO PG 90