Friday, May 25, 2012

One check off the bucket list

I have a bucket list.


It's not really written out, it's more like a wish list of sorts that I keep locked up in my head .. There's no notebook in the world that holds enough pages to contain my entire bucket list!


I have wanted to donate blood for a long while now, but there were many things preventing me. My tattoos and piercings, and the 6-month wait required before being able to donate after having them done. My pregnancies were another big reason, and then the six-month wait after delivering the babies. I was also told for years untruthfully that I wasn't able to donate (I won't go into that)


I'm ashamed to admit that I was one of those ignorant teenagers that thought, "blood's not in me to give, it's in me to LIVE!" and I thought I was so tough and strong because I had that attitude. Boy, was I ever an idiot!


Yes, blood is in us to live. But we have so much and they take so little when you donate ... What harm does it cause anyone to donate? It saves lives. I couldn't believe what I read online. It takes anywhere up to fifty units of blood to save a victim in a car accident. Eight units a week for a cancer patient. Up to five units for a hip / joint replacement. Up to five units for a coronary artery bypass.


We all know someone who has been affected by at least one of the above mentioned illnesses / needs. Would YOU give your blood to someone you loved, if they needed it?


Anyhow, I'm really happy to have done it, and plan to do it as often as I can. Knowing I have a rare blood type is even more motivation to donate. I want to help others.


And hey, I got free oreo's out of it :)


If you'd like more information on how and where to donate, or if you'd like to see if you're eligible for donation, check out  http://www.blood.ca/


What a goofy self-portrait .. That's me in the blood mobile!

2 comments:

  1. Good for you! I've donated 10 times but I have severe iron issues so haven't been able to donate in years. I'm taking iron pills in the hopes that I can get my iron up enough to give again. I even booked a spot in the bloodmobile in August as part of my positive thinking.

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    1. You know, that's a really great idea, booking your appointment for positive thinking! That's great! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :)

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