I gave blood the other day.
It was easy, painless and a small commitment of time out of my day.
I feel a bit embarassed that it has taken me until 42 years of age to donate.
When I arrived at the blood bank I was nervous. First time doing something new, the unknown and all that.
The reception staff who greeted me were lovely. The nurse who did the interview with me and to go over the paperwork, not so much. Maybe she was having a bad day, maybe the monotony of blood donors day after day gets boring. Who knows.
As she went through my paperwork and asked me a cavalcade of questions, I sat there nervously feeling like I was sitting an exam and would be kicked out of there any second.
I looked up and there she was. Ivy. Products from donated blood help Ivy 's body to fight against infections which regularly threaten her health. Ivy's mum, Tiff, blogs here and together, Ivy and Tiff, advocate loudly and clearly for the importance of blood donation. Absolutely inspiring. Ivy appears in Red Cross Blood Bank promotional material urging blood donation and it was from one of these poster's that her sweet face smiled at me while I answered the questions of Nurse Cranky.
It felt like a sign.
A sign from Ivy.
It was like she was saying "don't worry, the questions will be finished in a minute and then you can get on with the giving".
So I did.
PS: Later this year Ivy will have a wish granted by the Starlight Foundation. A very special wish. So if you don't follow Tiff's blog, go over and visit and wish Ivy well for her wish day.
Oh, and go donate blood. Really.
Image via we heart it
I've been a donor for years. Simon and I used to live right near the La Trobe Uni donor centre and would go as often as we were allowed. I've donated dozens and dozens of times. My brother and his girlfriend often used to come as well and we'd make a bit of a night of it - have dinner together afterwards or something like that. I was knocked back a couple of the final times I went as I've always had low iron levels and they bumped the minimum levels up which counted me out, which was always a bit disappointing. Then I went and had babies, went places overseas that struck me off the list and got a tattoo. But I'll be back to donate again as soon as I can. And this post will make me kick Simon's butt to get him back there donating, as he hasn't been since I have and he doesn't have all the excuses I do!
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never, Suz. Not many people donate and I think it is such an easy thing to do (and yeah, I don't like needles as much as the next person) but if it helps save a life, then it is the least I can do. The people who need the blood are generally going through FAR worse than little needle. Not to mention, there is generally a free bit of cake and a cuppa waiting for you at the end! Not all bad.
Sorry you got the dodgy nurse though. That is never fun. Smiling isn't hard either.
xo
Such an easy and amazing thing to do. I don't know whynbut I always faint as I have needles and give blood. It is really annoying but I just cant control it.
ReplyDeleteIvy is truly wonderful, as is Tiff and the rest of the family.
It doesn't matter that it took you a while, what matters is that you did it. Kudos xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing for donating blood! Thank you so much for doing it. For my girl and for the many others out there who need it.
ReplyDeleteYou are a true hero. Thank you, Suz. Thank you.
PS, you made me cry, early on a Friday morning.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog (because I am twitterologically challenged and can't follow a link it seems).
ReplyDeleteBut YAY for you!
and Bigger YAY for the beautiful Miss Ivy.
Good on you for doing it. I havent thought about it for many years now, as there has never really been a decent gap between pregnancy and breastfeeding. I think we are finally over the breastfeeding, so I will look into it. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for having at go at any age.
ReplyDeleteIvy's promotional material makes everyone smile.
Good on you Suz. Such an important thing to do. x
ReplyDeleteThank you for donating your blood & writing about it too.
ReplyDeleteFOR IVY.
I did the same. At 61. But when they attempted to draw blood it was unsuccessful. Their policies meant they would not try again with a first time donor.
I came away cross & frustrated. Felt I'd failed Ivy too.
But, haven't gone back.....mostly because of the staff attitude. Terrible admission. I know.
Red Cross Blood Bank is somewhere for compassion & I know that Tiff is eternally grateful to "us" bloggy friends who've done so in Ivy's name.
Tiff understands at least I tried. Kudos indeed to you Suz