Everyone Cam

Nice job! I haven't donated in a few years - maybe I should do that again one day. That would be nice of me.

The last time I donated blood, I apparently donated "very fast". The lady was impressed and had me get up right away and go to the table. As soon as I sat down, everything started spinning and this lady ran over and grabbed me so I wouldn't fall. Then I got to go lay down again. Apparently they shouldn't make you get up right away. :)

Sounds like you RECEIVED some of Todd's blood instead of DONATING your own. I'd check into that.

All kidding aside...that's great Todd.

I used to be a Red Cross Apheresis donor. They hooked me up with two needles...one draws blood into a centrafuge (sp) that separates the blood components (platelets, white blood cells, etc) and the other needle puts the blood back into my body. The whole thing took almost two hours, but they usually set me up in front of a tv and played movies while I was laying there. They used the stuff I donated for hemophiliacs, etc.

I should get back into doing that. It always made me feel good to know I was helping my fellow man in some small way.

I read about that process. I did it at work, so I didn't have the time and they didn't have the equipment. My Dad has given a LOT of blood. He has some special thing in his blood that makes it good for babies. They put it in a special four pouch baggie!

I must have the same thing in my blood as your Dad. A few years ago, I donated blood and the Red Cross folks did the same thing. They put my blood in a special container and said it was going to be used for three babies that had been seriously hurt in an area fire. If i remember right, it was also around Christmas when I donated. Talk about a humbling experience.

I wish I could do it again, but I have some issues with my blood pressure. The Red Cross used to tell me how many gallons I was at, but my job required me to move the past couple years and I have long since forgotten what I was up to.

I actually have low blood pressure, so every time I donate, it's a quick and painless experience. I have a Red Cross pin collection going in my cube right now. My badges of courage, so to speak. When the drives come to work, I sign up. Like you, Haywood, it's a nice feeling to do something that small to help someone in need.

But what I can't get over is how rude the nurses always are. I mean, I try to smile and kid around with them, but they're always grouchy as hell. For me, that's the only unpleasant experience when donating blood.

Maybe they were upset because Todd ate all the cookies when they weren't looking.

Todd stole the cookie from the cookie jar...