I just got back from what will be my last blood donation for about a year. My upcoming trip to Brazil will take me into some areas that are at risk for malaria, so I when I get back I will be deferred from donating for one year. The Red Cross showed me a map of Brazil with high malaria risk areas in dark pink, and Manaus is at the center of a dark pink circle that has a radius of about 500 miles - to say nothing of the ultra-malaria-y Rio Branco.
When I was contemplating whether I would go to Brazil or not this summer the donation deferral issue was about the only item I had on the 'CON' list. I'm really going to miss donating blood for a whole year. It's one of my favorite things to do (I had previously blogged about how I went to donate blood on my birthday). I've been going in to donate about 3-4 times a year for the last 6 years or so (the max is 6 times a year) and I've donated a total of about three and a half gallons of blood during my lifetime.
People are always asking me why I love giving blood (usually followed up by their own horror story about their aborted donation attempt). I get a great feeling of satisfaction from donating because I feel like it's a moment when I'm overcoming some of my personal selfishness (a concern of mine that I just expressed in my previous post). I can't say that I really enjoy having a big ol' needle in my arm, but I feel like a needle in the arm is such a small sacrifice for me to make if it's going to help someone who is in need of a transfusion. Plus, blood donation centers love me because my blood is CMV-negative (my friend Wikipedia will define that for you), meaning that I am among a small portion of the population who can safely donate blood to infants. And for some reason donating blood doesn't seem to fatigue me - I actually feel really energized afterwards (maybe it's all those free snacks afterwards).
My favorite blood donation anecdote: Two summers ago I was living in Wooster, Ohio as a cast member of the Ohio Light Opera. One day the Red Cross held a blood drive at the student union during lunchtime. I had to do a performance of The Gondoliers at 2:00, but I decided that I would be fine for the performance because I never had felt tired after giving blood. So they put me in a chair adjacent to the lobby and stuck the needle in me. As soon as the blood started flowing into the bag, the stage director of my afternoon show walked right by me, saw the blood rushing out of my body, and got a really panicked look on his face. I tried to assure him that I would be fine for the show, but he looked doubtful as he headed out the door and over to the theater.
When it was time to bandage up my arm I remembered that my costume had short sleeves, which would be a problem. But they found some flesh-colored tape and wrapped me up. The whole donation process took much longer than I had anticipated, so I couldn't even sit and relax for ten minutes afterward like you are supposed to. I bolted out of there and ran across campus to the theater, arriving out of breath at the theater at about 1:45. I threw on my costume and makeup and made it onstage just in time. Mind you, this was not a show with static blocking - we were dancing all over the place. But, just as I predicted, I was fine and I had plenty of energy even though I had been giving blood just a half hour before. And afterwards I asked a few audience members if they noticed my arm bandage and they all said no.
I guess memories like that will have to sustain me during my one-year absence from the blood donation scene.
16 years ago
6 comments:
Wait, wait. I'm noticing a pattern here. FREE snacks.
Perhaps this is your superpower. Bloodregenerist Man gives blood to the needy with no adverse effect.
Ah, yes, verification that you are a good person deep down inside and that you are not the totally self-centered, self-indulging individual you fear you might be. I know you better, Brian, as I have elaborated in other comments. Surely, you will find ways to help others in "The Year of the Blood Embargo!" And, the trip to Brazil will be so totally worth it!... Loved the story about OLO and the blood donation! As always, the show must go on, flesh colored bandage and all!
I've been trying to give blood fairly often as well. I am O negative, so I am a universal donor for those with negative blood. I don't really feel much affect from it either (sometimes I play basketball right after) But the pressure cuff is usually what gets me, I come away feeling like I gave them all the blood out of one arm and no where else. (Oh, and last time, that was the first time the needle really stung. Ouch! I've had a lot of times where the bandage yanking out my arm hair was the most painful part of the experience.)
I am sure the world's blood supply will deeply mourn the loss of your contribution. Have fun in Seattle.
Do you remember when we donated together at the Red Cross in SLC and I passed out and got sick?
Post a Comment