I like this German Red Cross poster encouraging blood donations. It reads: “You can’t buy it anywhere. That’s why we thank all our donators.”
The bloodmobile was at our office today and I was deffered from giving. It turns out my iron level was fine this time (thanks to the bzillion supplements I was told to take by my doctor) but my blood pressure was too high.
“Are you feeling stressed or nervous?” asked the phlebotomist. This seemed like a strange question after I was grilled with the routine but very personal screening questions: “Have you had sex with a man who has sex even once with another man since 1977?” “Have you engaged in sex for money or drugs since 1977?” And on and on they go. I didn’t realize that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of our country’s blood supply and thus these questions are required to be answered by every donor. The FDA also regulates the labeling of cosmetics and pet foods. That seems weird to me but the government has their own way of doing things.
Hmmm. . . yeah, I’m a little stressed out, but when isn’t a person under stress? Sure, when I’m sitting on a beach in Maui, I’m sure my blood pressure is completely normal, but everyday life is filled with stuff that needs to be done or situations beyond our control. It’s funny though that I don’t feel unusually stressed but I guess my body seems to think I am. How does that work?
Anyhow, I’ll try to give blood again next week (my deferral was only for today). Between the holiday weekend and the terrible events in the south, I’m sure someone could use my pint of A+. Frankly, if you’re healthy, someone could use a pint of yours too. 