Finally, they took my blood today at Red Cross!
Actually, they took it last time, but my iron was too low then to do what I went for — double red cells. It’s cool — literally. They take out a couple of pints of whole blood and remove the red cells. Then they pump it back in. As it goes back in, it’s clear. And not quite as warm as it was before. Quite refreshing on a hot day. (I hope that wasn’t one detail too many for you. Hey, at least I didn’t headline this, "My Blood Runs Cold." I could have, you know. I’m not proud.)
Also — and I haven’t fully figured out why this is — even though there are two channels, the needle itself is smaller, and therefore less painful. It takes longer, though.
I’ve only been allowed to do it once before. They have all these rules. Your iron has to be higher, your height and weight have 
to be at certain levels. (Women have to be bigger than men have to be for this, which seems weird.) Also, according to the sign in the picture, you have to be type B or O. Of course, most of us are O, aren’t we?
Last time, they said it was too low for the "Alyx" system, which is what they call the double-red-cell thing. But I could donate whole blood. I almost walked out, but stayed and did that. Guilt, you know. Fortunately, it’s been quite a while since my iron was so low they wouldn’t take any at all.
But today, the iron pills I’ve been taking, and the big bloody steak I had at lunch (which has caused me indigestion the rest of the day) worked! My iron was at 41, and it only had to be 40. Whatever that means.
It was cool. You should try it. I don’t want to be holier than thou on this, I just feel obliged to tell you that we’re always shorthanded in this part of South Carolina, and constantly have to import blood from other regions. That’s how I got started, after hearing that over and over. Guilt.
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I started giving blood after one of your previous posts on the topic. I’d like to try Alyx eventually, but the regular donation still freaks me out plenty, and I don’t think I’ve got the nerve to try something new yet.
I have given platelets a few times and on my 5th gallon of whole blood. I wrote Senator Graham about making blood donations tax deductible. I was told that there was a bill introduced allowing a $50 write off(up to 3 times) in the last Congress. It did not pass, I found that to be very disappointing. It would have a great thing in many ways.
Brad,
Thanks for reminding your readers of the continuing need for blood. Like Jerry, I’m working on my 5th gallon. My hope is that someday one of my patients will receive a unit that I donated.
Most folks are frightened away by the big needle. The stick is not too bad and once it’s in there’s no pain. But it’s hard to convince the uninitiated of that.
I encourage people to donate together. My wife and I try to go together, and my son (a Marion High School senior) is sponsoring a drive at First United Methodist Church in Marion on Monday, August 6th from 2 to 7 pm. If any of your Pee Dee readers wants to give, just call us at 843-423-9853.
That’s great, Wally! Great because you’re giving, and great because this blog actually had a good influence on someone for once.
Paul, who has always — like me — harbored hopes of this blog someday actually being useful to the world in some way, will share my satisfaction in this.
As for Paul and Jerry and their 5th gallons — you’re both heroes, guys, and I salute you. Wally, too. Now some of you other folks go out there and do likewise. Please. It’s needed.
I have donated for years, and now my youngest has done it twice. We have blood drives at school at least once a year.
My oldest was mad when she was turned down because she spent 2 weeks in Honoduras with the church. I’m not sure how long that “ban” will last, though.
But I’m glad they are both interested.