Donate blood

Allow me a soapbox for a minute (isn't that what a blog is for?). I donated blood yesterday because I feel strongly that it's a very good thing to do. I think it was my 14th pint total, over the course of about 6 years. I heard a story on Thursday of a little boy who received about that much blood while he was in the hospital with constant bleeding. They ended up fixing the problem, and he survived. It illustrates the value and necessity of donating blood. The blood I've donated over 6 years was depleted in a matter of weeks by one person. But what a precious gift to be able to give new life to a little boy. It didn't cost me a thing, but it's value cannot be measured. Despite all the advances in medical technology, we cannot manufacture or reproduce human blood. And as a Christian I am saved by Christ's blood. While on a smaller scale, we can also save someone's life by our blood.

Most of the blood I've donated was while I was in Michigan, and was donated through the Red Cross. When I came down to Florida, I went to the Florida Blood Center because they are the primary ones in the area. I love donating to them. The Red Cross does great things in all their disaster relief stuff, but as far as giving blood goes, they could learn from FBC. They use Chlorhexidine gluconate to sterilize the area rather than the betadine that the Red Cross uses. The betadine leaves a purple mess on your arm that I would have to clean up afterwards, whereas the chlorhexidine gluconate evaporates and leaves nothing behind. I also will rarely have a wait at FBC where the Red Cross would take me an hour to an hour and a half. But probably the best advantage of FBC is all the coupons and gift cards. I haven't been anywhere that actually pays for blood. The Red Cross would give cookies and juice to me, but that's it. FBC gives me that as well, but also get area companies to donate coupons, gift cards, etc. I think I've donated 5 times in the 10 months I've been here, and have gotten at least $65 in gift cards, a free oil change, a free pint of Godiva ice cream, two t-shirts, and lots of coupons to Orlando touristy places. Donating blood is a great enough thing in and of itself, but all the other stuff just make it even better (and encourage me to donate as often as possible). I have managed to time it so that I will be able to donate one more time before I leave, which I am glad about.

I know a lot of people don't like needles. I don't enjoy being stuck, but it's not that bad. I can think of many more painful ways to lose a pint of blood! 5 seconds of pain for the chance to save someone's life, $10-$20 in gift certificates, and free juice and cookies. Definitely an easy choice. I know some people can't donate blood because of traveling or medical conditions. But for all you other healthy people out there, go save someone's life! And if you live near an FBC, take advantage of them while you have them. They are great.