Starve a Vampire, Donate Blood

I donated blood last Friday for the first time in my whole life! I think that’s a really big deal, but I haven’t been successful in getting the same reaction out of other people. Anyways, I thought I’d share a few myths and maybe encourage one person out there to donate as well.

When I was in college the Red Cross would stop by our campus for blood drives. I remember stopping by their booth and asking them about the requirements. The first was weight. I did not meet the 110lbs minimum to donate. Furthermore, I had traveled outside the United States in the past year (I used to go back home to Venezuela twice a year), so that was my double wammy.

Then I had this “episode” (still in college) where my platelet count mysteriously dropped to dangerous levels and I was hospitalized for three days. If they didn’t want me to donate blood before, they REALLY won’t want me now!

Which brings us to contemporary times. I had never donated blood and I had my list of reasons. Case closed, right? Wrong!

I now work at a hospital, and part of the orientation was to let us know the Blood Donation Center is always open for new donors. The girl presenting was SO nice and bubbly and made it sound like such a good time that I thought I’d email her and ask her if I could donate.

Her answers were:

1) The 110lbs limit is only applicable on their “mobile” units. In the hospital the lower limit actually is 100lbs.
2) The list of countries that would cause a deferral has been adjusted such that they only care about travel to rural areas where malaria may be present. Therefore, traveling to a metropolitan city, such as Caracas, is not a concern.
3) As long as my platelet count episode was not part of a continuous blood disorder, and my platelet count was fine now, I should be able to donate.

So, with those points as reassurance, I walked right into the Donation Center determined to close the deal.

They had me fill out a survey first. They want to make sure you have not had exposure to AIDS. In my opinion, there were some questions that were not really pertinent to whether you’ve had exposure to diseases or not. Maybe it was just the way they were phrased. For example, they asked if you have paid for sex in the past. I understand they mean to ask if you have had sex with prostitutes, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who may ask for money in exchange for favors who don’t have their own corner. I don’t know… I guess I don’t see what the “paying” part has to do with your exposure. Another question asked if you are male and have had sex with another man since 1977. That just seems like an ignorant question that associates AIDS with being gay. So yes, I had certain political views against some of the questions.

Disclaimer: I can’t say for sure which questions would get them to turn you away if you answered yes to them, though. They did ask if my mother had been born outside the US, and they didn’t turn me away. If you have questions about your eligibility, you should ask your nearest donation center!

Once that was done with, I went in and did the deed. They had a Halloween theme and all the nurses were dressed in costumes (my pumpkin earrings fit right in!). The assistant was very sweet. She was in training so I got a 43-year veteran to guide her. I felt like I was learning alongside her. 10min later I was off and on my way with a sticker and a T-shirt that said “Starve a Vampire, Donate Blood” which I thought was very clever and cute 😉

You’re allowed to donate blood every 56 days. I already put it in my calendar to make sure I donate as much as possible. I love hospitals. I’m so weird.

ina