That’s right, people. I’m a bad ass.
I donated blood. And I have the scars to prove it.
My company had a blood drive today. I don’t like donating blood. The last time I donated, I was a senior in college, and I got a huge bruise on my arm that looked like I was manhandled by my pimp. Also, I just don’t like looking at blood. Any blood really, but mostly my blood.
Looking at my blood makes me feel…human. I like walking around like I’m invincible or something, not thinking about what it takes to make my body run. I remember in elementary school (or maybe middle school, I dunno) when we learned that the brain sends signals that tells your body what to do. SO every time I did something, like move my arm, I would think: “my brain just told my arm to move! my brain just told my mouth to say that! my brain just moved my lips!” And it gets exhausting to have to think that way. I’d rather just walk around like Superwoman.
To see my blood in a bag? It reminds me that I’m a mere mortal. Talk about a letdown.
So I wasn’t too excited when I heard about the blood drive. But being semi-new around these parts, I didn’t want to be judged as that girl who doesn’t want to save people’s lives. I may be self-centered, but I care about what other people think about me. Peer pressure: helping people donate blood one day at a time.
Plus I like the free snacks and drinks you get afterward.
So that’s why I donated blood. Everyone has their reasons. Some are more self-centered than others. But it doesn’t matter–all that matters is that you get out there and save a life.
Oh and I also got a coupon for a free pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream, so there’s that too. Oh and you also look super bad ass with the gauze on your arm. It makes me want to say “Yeah, I’m bad ass. I’m a donor.”
Has anyone else donated blood lately?
12 comments
thank you for donating blood!
I don’t know if your blood center does it, but mine gives you points for donating and you can redeem them for items (we’ve gotten a cooler, and folding chairs with points I’ve accumulated), and most recently I used it for a $20 gift card at the grocery store we’ll go to anyway…..an incentive never hurts and it saved me $20 on groceries
I can’t donate blood. I, apparently, need it all.
I once donated blood at work and had to lay down for 2 hours because my blood pressure dropped. =-/ i tried!!
I am so glad you posted about this. I’ve had a post in my queue for so long about giving blood. I donate regularly and have no shame in being a bit manipulative to get others to do the same. It is just so important. Especially if you have a rare blood type or are a universal donor.
Good for you! I have never given blood, and I am terrified of needles. I wish I could give blood but whenever I am forced to, nurses always have to try multiple times and it is just horrible. I wish I had better luck.
OK, I am with you on the…undesirability of donating. I’m all for it in THEORY, but in practice, I would rather you do it than me. The one time I tried, they missed my vein and tried to “roll” the needle in – they blew the vein and it bled into my arm. That bruise was epic.
That being said, I could probably be guilted into trying again at some point. Maybe.
I think it’s pretty awesome that you donated blood! I never can because I am anemic and they don’t take my blood since the iron is so low. I have always wanted to donate though! I understand your fears about donating. It is pretty weird to think about all that blood leaving your body!
good for you! I use to give blood a lot in college but since graduating, there really isn’t any where convenient to go =/ I have been inspired by you though and think I will be making a trip to the local bank this weekend =)
Good For YOU!! Every six months my work has one. And I skip that day of work because of how much it bothers me, which is so bad. Blood never bothered me until I had to get it down and saw the my bag of blood on that de-clottering machine and I just can’t do it.
I applaud your badassedness! The hot pink bandage looks great!
Donating blood is AWESOME, I do it as often as I’m able.
I won’t lie: I do it for the cookies. Dangle a juice box and a fudge-o in front of me, and I’d give up an organ…. Actually, come to think of it, do you guys have ‘ONEmatch” where you are? Canada has it, it’s a national bone-marrow registry, so people who need marrow transplants have a larger pool to draw from than they might otherwise. I was totally expecting to get the call like, the next day “Taylor: we need you to save a life RIGHT NOW!!”, but it’s been a year or so, and no dice.
Anyway, Rock on life-saver!
I give blood every 50-some-odd days that you’re allowed to. I don’t like it. Needles freak me out. But, I believe in it so I make myself do it. Also, the bruising isn’t as bad if you don’t go overboard on squeezing that red ball. I just like to get it over with, and was bruising until one of the nurses told me not to squeeze so hard. But the bruise is badass and makes people know you’re a hero…so it’s a trade-off.
Good for you! Seriously, I never do it either for the same reasons. I’m such a wuss! Love the pink bandage 😉
I’m pretty ashamed to admit this, but I don’t give blood, ever. I am so afraid of it! The idea of having blood taken just makes me want to pass out, and I can’t even handle it. I only did it once, in high school, because my friends pressured me into it, and the nurse had to remind me of all the babies with cancer I was helping to keep me from bailing. Low blow, nurse!
But I haven’t done it since. I just…it freaks me out too much. BUT I am an organ donor and I plan to (haven’t gotten around to it) sign up for the bone marrow registry. So there’s that.
I can’t even explain to you why the idea of having blood taken is more terrifying to me than the idea of having my own bone marrow extracted.