I had a hard time writing my Christmas wish list. Finally, I realized: if it’s that hard to write a wish list, I don’t need anything. Maybe you’re in the same sleigh.
If you want to give this Christmas, here’s a list. They have no problem knowing what they need.
American Red Cross. Give money, donate blood. Save a life. I’m scheduled for next Friday. :-)
I donated to one of my favorite charities today and it didn’t cost me anything. Yup, I gave blood. You can, too, even if like me you’re a wimp. Here are my time-tested tricks for survival:
Drink a lot. I make sure I drink a lot of water for a few days before and then more afterward.
Tell them you’re a wimp. They’ll treat you extra special.1Every donor gets normal special treatment.
Lie down on the cot backward. Most people have their heads above their feet. Not me. I lie flat and have them elevate my feet. I haven’t had an issue with feeling faint since I started doing this.
Relax when they insert the needle. It probably won’t hurt. They had to stick me twice today2The only time they’ve ever needed to. and I barely felt the first one. Getting the hemoglobin finger prick hurts more. Removing the self-sticky bandages hurts more. Today’s second stick stung a little this time, but still nothing to write home about.3Mom, ignore that last sentence. Apparently, there’s some sort of anticoagulant on/in the needle which can sting a little. You’ll live. ;-)
Never look at the needle — NEVER!!4Yeah, I said I’m a wimp.
Once the needle is in, talk to the person drawing your blood. It will keep your mind off the big steel needle jabbed in your arm draining away your lifeblood. Okay, it’s not that bad, but staying distracted is still a good thing. In fact, I believe this is the best suggestion I have for you. You might even find they’re fun to talk to.
Brag about it when you’re done. You deserve it!
Do this enough times and you won’t be the wimp you think you are.
…and the American Red Cross is making it even easier.
I got back to my cube after a lunchtime walk to find an e-mail from the American Red Cross. In this e-mail was a link “Click here to make an appointment.” I clicked the link and logged in to my Red Cross profile. (I’ve given blood before, which is why the Red Cross had my e-mail address.)
I was presented with a choice of donation events, so I clicked on one that fit my schedule and selected a convenient time. The site showed me a map including directions from the address I have in my profile and gave me a calendar link. One more click, press save, and the appointment is in my Outlook calendar.
Slick!
Because of this process, the Red Cross has me scheduled to donate blood 56 days after the last time — the minimum allowed.
Update: I just checked my e-mail and there’s a confirmation of the appointment with links for directions, changing the appointment, or adding it to my calendar. There’s also contact information should I want to talk to a human. I continue to be impressed. :-)
I donated blood just over a month ago and my donor card came in the mail today. W00t! I’m official!
Actually, it’s not my first time; it’s just the only time the American Red Cross has it on record. I gave blood once before while in college, in the dark ages before computers ran willy-nilly over the face of the earth. So my blood donor card says “Units Lifetime: 1” when it’s actually 2. My goal is to make this 1-unit error insignificant.
I can give blood again on November 19. Will you join me?
