a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Katy

January 7th, 2013 at 1:23 pm

Good for you! My Mom had some difficulties over the holiday and never several units of blood. I am thankful everyday that there was someone kind enough to set aside the time to donate some blood. I’m planning on returning the favor at my works blood clinic and getting over my fear.

2 | andrea

January 7th, 2013 at 1:33 pm

I am constantly amazed at how many people give blood. It is truly humbling to see. I mean if THEY can do it, surely I can.

3 | Roz

January 7th, 2013 at 1:35 pm

I feel exactly the same way. I was also a “slow bleeder” until someone gave me a super helpful tip that if you drink a ton of water the day before and up until you donate, your body will just let go of the blood. It really works!

4 | andrea

January 7th, 2013 at 1:39 pm

Roz: But what if you have to pee while you’re donating? (Says the lady with the tiny bladder.)

5 | Giulia

January 7th, 2013 at 2:50 pm

Did you also know that you can donate every 56 days? And that fact that this is something that only costs your time and can save lives makes it such a wonderful thing.

6 | Bob LeDrew

January 7th, 2013 at 3:11 pm

I was an idiot. I never gave blood. Then I got cancer, and I realized that I wanted to donate as a thankyou to the system that got me well. But now I can’t, as a cancer survivor. So HEY YOU: if you haven’t had cancer, please give blood. If not for your own satisfaction, for mine.

7 | Finola

January 7th, 2013 at 8:39 pm

I second the drinking water suggestion. Makes a world of difference for me…like from 15-20 minutes down to close to 5. I don’t even start the night before, just a few hours before. Then I hit the washroom after the questionnaire but before the big comfy chair.

Way to go for donating. I’m up for donation #44 in January.

8 | Lorrie Douthwright

January 8th, 2013 at 10:21 am

Yahooooo! I love hearing donor stories. I worked for Canadian Blood Services for a while & am so impressed with the care they take. THEY WORK VERY HARD.

I need to donate again, it’s been a while… I too need to up my water intake when I donate.

9 | Chris

January 8th, 2013 at 5:47 pm

Hey, we share a blood type! It is rare, but we’re universal recipients, so we can take blood from anyone. ANYONE, ANY TIME.

(and I agree: drinking plenty of water _before_ donating makes a big difference)

10 | Mary @ Parenthood

January 8th, 2013 at 11:29 pm

Good for you! Wish I could donate but my family lived in Europe during the 80s and apparently that makes me ineligible. I think that’s dumb (and worry about the next generation since basically my ENTIRE family can’t donate. If no one can model this, what do you want to bet it’s not something my kids will see as a priority??)

11 | Tricia

January 9th, 2013 at 11:06 am

I used to be a regular donor, but then I started travelling to places where once I got back, I had to wait six months before donating. I might be able to sneak one in before I travel again, but sometimes, I can go a couple of years without. Which sucks, because I’m AB-…even more rare than you!

12 | Roz

January 9th, 2013 at 9:28 pm

Andrea - it goes by so fast (seriously like 5 minutes as Finola says) that it wouldn’t even be an issue (at least it never has for me

13 | Nikki

January 10th, 2013 at 9:02 pm

I just wanted to say thanks for donating. My son required many units of blood during heart surgery when he was a newborn. I will always be grateful to those anonymous donors who saved his life.