I’m not sure how often they have a blood drive at cbc but I think this is the 2nd one I’ve seen since I’ve been here (or I just haven’t paid attention).  The flyer was in the bulletin for a few weeks and I had contemplated about doing it but I have always thought I couldn’t because I once tested positive for TB.  I never actually had TB, I just unfortunately got exposed to  it.  But I read online that it was okay as long as you didn’t have it.  The blood drive was on Sunday and even throughout the week I was thinking about it but still unsure.

Then after the service, LA was like, hey you should give blood, I bet you’d be good at it.  And I was like, well I thought about it, but I don’t know…  She said she would buy me lunch if I did it.  So we went up to the little table to look, but no one was there.  We were flipping through the little book of info when this unfriendly lady came out and just stared at us.  Hello to you too.  She didn’t even say anything to us!!  She should have been asking us if we were interested or had any questions.  She just stared.  So LA was like, she (me) wants to give blood.  So then the lady gave me this card to fill out and was like, go inside when you’re done.  Thanks?

So I was getting pretty nervous when I went into the bus.  I had to go in this tiny tiny room with this lady and she asked me a bunch of questions and then pricked my finger.  And then it was time to give blood.  They have you lay down and they tourniquet your bicep area and handed me a stress ball to squeeze.  Cleaned my arm for 30 seconds with iodine and then proceeded to prick me with a large needle.  I watched the whole thing!  That needle was much bigger than the ones normally used at the doctor’s.  So I laid there and let my blood drain into this baggy.  LA was telling me that if I beat this guy (who had started before me), that she would give me $5!  That guy had been lying there for so long!!  I guess my blood came out really fast!  Good flow.  But I lost by like 30 seconds!!!! So close.  You give a whole pint of blood.  That’s 16 oz as in like a water bottle (a little smaller than the costco ones) – crazy!  I got up and had some snacks (oj and cookies) and I even got a too big t-shirt.  I felt a little weak but I was okay.

Part of me didn’t want to give blood because you’re not supposed to do strenuous exercise afterwards and I knew we were going to play ultimate.  But that was kind of a selfish reason so I did it anyway.  I was convinced that ultimate wouldn’t be strenuous exercise.  Boy was I wrong!!!  I played one short point and needed to sub out.  Then I went back in and at one point after I had stopped sprinting, I like couldn’t breathe.  My heart was beating so hard!!  And then all of a sudden my vision started to go nuts.  I couldn’t see anything.  And I was like crap, I think I need to get off the field NOW (which I should have).  But I was like no I’m supposed to wait till the point.  And, I didn’t want people to wonder what I was doing (not running).  So I tried to walk around near the play but my eyes were so warped (it was kind of frightening – things were like turning black and white (bright).  Luckily, the play clock ran out and I went off and laid down.  And LA was like drink more liquids.  So I pretty much laid down for the whole time!  I think if I had stayed on the field any longer or tried to run, I would have passed out.  I guess sprinting is strenuous exercise.  Maybe if I was just standing there playing frisbee catch it would be okay.  Lesson learned.

Also, I was surprised to find so few people donating blood.  With so many people at the congregation, you would expect more people to participate.  I think people don’t do it because they are unsure of what it entails.  But quite frankly, its effortless.  I think a flyer is not as strong as word of mouth.  I think if more people were told about it and why it was important, and how easy it was, then more people would do it.  They should advertise in the small groups.

I admit that I did feel nervous the whole time and I wished that the workers were more friendly (which I heard that they usually were).  I’m glad I got the little push I needed to go and do it, because otherwise, I really don’t think I would have done it.  Will I do it again?  Probably but I think I still need the moral support.

The Need is Constant.  The Gratification is Instant.  Give Blood.