I had an appointment to donate blood today. Strangely the center I made an appointment at was closed, but the person who had an appointment before me and I walked just a few blocks over to the Grand Hyatt Hotel to go donate at the blood drive. She scheduled her whole day around donating and planned to go into work late today ; it was not an option to reschedule for either of us. I guess if you’re going to donate blood for the first time, it’s not so bad to donate in style, at a hotel, in a ballroom – with chandeliers and carpeted flooring.
“if hes not too busy to give blood, you got no excuse. give blood” (caption and photo from instagram 11/2)
I have a pretty big fear for needles and blood but thanks to the very supportive strangers and staff I met and spoke with today, I donated successfully for the first time, conquered a fear, didn’t pass out and saved a life!
Thanks to Sergio for making the experience not as bad as I thought and for the light blue bandage (they didn’t have pink). He was impressed to see I was able to fill up a pint in just 7 minutes (it must’ve been the adrenaline) and the woman commented on how I was such a good sport and did it all with a smile. 🙂
As for what’s next? Maybe I’ll enroll in the Emergency response team training or go learn CPR like Elle Magazine suggests.
In the meantime, maybe I’ll conquer a fashion fear. Red lipstick, maybe?
“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear. ” -Joanna Macy
Find out where you can give blood through the Red Cross and New York Blood Center emergency drives.
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