I Donated Blood Today

[Jess]

Hey Everyone,

Today I did something I've been meaning to do for a very very long time and have just never gotten around to it.

I donated blood.

Just wanted to let everyone know in hope of inspiring someone else to pick up the phone and make an appointment to donate.

It only takes an hour of your time (first time donators need to fill out forms and stuff so that's why it takes an hour) and it really doesn't hurt and your donation can help save up to three lives so really there is no reason not to do it. You can even go on Sundays.

And they even feed you after! Today they had pizza, cheese and crackers, cherry ripes or mars bars, biscuits and tea, coffee and fruit juice. Everyone loves free food.

But most importantly you will get the unmistakable warm fuzzy feeling you get from knowing you may have helped save someone's life. It really is a beautiful feeling and worth every minute of your time and that tiny tiny pin prick sensation in your arm when they put in the needle. Worth it all by a long shot.

So if you have a bit of time spare, don't have an intense fear of needles and meet the requirements for someone who can donate, please give the red cross a call on 13 14 95 or visit the website http://www.donateblood.com.au/.

It takes a special person to donate blood.

[force addict]

good on ya jess. unfortunately i can't coz i have an immense fear of blood and needles but when i get over those then i'm sure i'll donate

[MI5_Dog]

It takes a special person to donate blood.

It takes an even more special person to be told that their blood isn't wanted!

Which is what happened to me the last time I attempted to donate blood.

But good on ya Jess
More people should be giving blood.

[Jess]

It's a mind over matter thing sweetheart... mind over matter.

All you gotta do is let your mind wander elsewhere when they're inserting the needle and you get surprised at how little it hurts and how little a fuss there is.

Tell yourself you're not afraid of needles and you won't be.

The mind is a very powerful thing.

[force addict]

i always cuss myself after a needle coz i'm like 'thats nothing' but ughh. the build up is intense at an all girls school 'ooh it'll hurt' 'im gonna faint'

[laura]

My Dad just about faints if he sees his blood but he donates every month & last month he donated plasma, where they take blood out put it in a centrifuge to remove plasma and then put the red blood cells back in...they do this three times! If he can do that, anyone can donate blood.

Unfortunately I haven't donated blood before but soon I will.

[Jess]

They're really really lovely at the clinic and they make sure you're not feeling faint and if you are you get to sit or lie down and they get drinks for you and they just keep asking if you're ok.

It's really nothing to worry about. I can't wait to be able to donate again. 3 months between appointments. Allowed to go again on June 30th and looking forward to it.

The warm fuzzy feeling is just so good.

[NTT]

the world needs more people like you jess well done

[Thequeerone]

They won't take my blood here in WA - used to donate regularly in England and Ireland (they used to give you a pint of Guinness of a pint of blood) - because of the mad cow outbreak in 1996 - unfortunately it means a lot of Europeans can't give blood which means there is a shortage of donors here in WA.

It's actually quite a fun outing with a couple of mates - cause you just get to lie back and have a daft conversation with a mate and maybe rib each other a bit if they can't find a vein or haven't got your favourite biscuits that time

[Elf1]

With you 15 my blood just aint good nuff for em!!

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Good stuff Jess. Ive given blood for yonks. Mine is A Rhesus Negative, suitable for blue babies. I cannot stand kids either?

[Flamethrower]

Good stuff Jess. Ive given blood for yonks. Mine is A Rhesus Negative, suitable for blue babies. I cannot stand kids either?

That's one for the ironic files

[The Lone Hydrangea]

[jono]

sorry. but i'm bever giving blood.
i cannot stand needles.
i have immense respect for everyone who does it. but i cant bring myself to do it.
i would rather get the flu than get a flu shot every year

[jargan83]

i got used to needles when i was in Hospital for a week in 1999

Champion effort Jess