Quick note: If you're looking for the latest Thematic Photographic entry (this week's theme: night), please click here. It's definitely not too late to share some nighttime perspectives.Headlines like this scare me. Not enough Canadians are donating blood. Reserves are bottoming out and that has dire implications for the state of health care in this country. We've made extensive use of the ER in recent weeks, so it hits particularly close to home for us.
My wife, bless her, signed up to donate blood at a clinic this week. I hovered over her while she was in the chair and silently mused to myself that she looked even lovelier than usual. She's had more on her mind than any one person really ought to have, but she still took the time to give. And looked positively radiant in the process. I guess that's another angle of beauty that you'll never see in a magazine.
She's just like me: not a fan of needles. But she wouldn't let that stop her. I've always been proud of her for so many reasons. Yesterday, I added another one to the list.
One more thing: I'll be at Canadian Blood Services here in London tomorrow morning. If anyone wants to join me, cost of admission is a reasonable $0.00, plus all the cookies you can eat.
I donate blood at a clinic a few blocks away from where I work. I cringe the entire time, because I can't stand the feeling of the thick needle. It's worth it, though.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I've donated many times over the years. Unfortunately, I can't always seem to fill the bag.. tiny veins and sloooooow moving blood. The process usually takes me about 45 minutes when others have that needle in and out of them within 10. Thanks for the reminder. It's time to roll up my sleeve again.`
ReplyDeleteHope you don't have to go back to E.R. and your little one gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteGood on ya both. Blood supplies are always at a critical level, even in good times. They sink to desperate levels during peak travel periods like the holidays or during natural disasters when the need spikes sharply.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the American Red Cross only about 5% of Americans eligible to donate blood actually do it. I'm proud to be one of that 5%, and donate every 8 weeks -- which is as often as is allowed. I've been at it since I was a senior in high school. (Except for the time I was in the army when they kept giving us anti malarials which made us ineligible.)
And I never miss a chance to jump on this particular soapbox, so here I am again. I applaud you both!
But what I really came to do was post the link for Thematic Photographic 22: Night v.2.0 - Guerilla Tourist... Not to jump on a soapbox. Still...
For many years of my life, I was anemic, and not allowed to donate. I think I ought to investigate to see whether I am a candidate for donation now. You spur me to action, Carmi!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a needle fan either...
ReplyDeleteYour wife is doing a great service!
Blood=life! Thanks for your kind words! Blessings to you & family*
thats scary...not having enough blood in bloodbanks....at out workplace, we have a blood donation drive every other month.......it's a gigantic organization so they need to have it that frequently to utilize all volunteers....and the turn out is never disappointing.......
ReplyDeletekudos to you and your wife, Carmi.
Did you say free cookies? Which way to Canada?
ReplyDeleteIt seems that blood donations are at extreamly low levals everywhere. Its so important for everyone.
ReplyDeleteA well done post Carmi.
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for this post and for your efforts to encourage people to donate blood. With the supply dwindling, donating is now more important than ever. For more inspiration to donate, please check out Thankyourdonor.ca It's a social media website where recipients of donated blood thank their anonymous donors.
A video about the project can also be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyEJlFGJqpo
This is awesome. I'm always donating blood, though last time I got all sick and feint and they made me lie down and squeeze this ball and eat mayo-rich sandwiches -- which was the best part of all. It's a win-win, even when you get sick.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, it's so important. Good for you for shedding light where it needed to be shed. I'm just sorry you are going through something so personal and rough right now. Hang in there, I'm thinking of you all.
I have yet to donate, and there's no reason that I know of why! So I am going to do it next time instead of working as a volunteer serving cookies and juice to those who do. We need more people like your lovely wife. And I've seen her pictures-- she should indeed be in a magazine. She's by far prettier than those plastic celebrity faces/bodies they use for role models in them. ((Hugs to her!))
ReplyDeleteI donate whenever possible. I've had friends who didn't weigh enough to donate blood. That's never been my problem. Instead I'm a hearty gal. (tee-hee) With great veins! (Perfect topic around Halloween time. Maybe Dracula is part of the shortage problem.)
ReplyDeleteI've donated blood many times in my life and every time I do, I always feel dizzy, close to passing out.
ReplyDeleteIt's not because I'm scared of the needle, or the sight of blood, it's because my veins really open up and the stuff pours out FAST!
But despite the dizziness and such, I still donate. However, right now at this moment I am unable to donate because I'm having slight anemia issues. Guess I don't eat enough red meat?
In any case, I hope your shortages improve soon.
I'm on the list of those that can't donate, for medical reasons.
ReplyDeleteI thank you and your lovely wife for willingly donating your blood - and your time!
Hello Carmi!
ReplyDeleteThank you for encouraging people to donate blood and for donating yourself!
I wish I was around when your wife donated so that I could have thanked her personally. Thank you Debbie!
Terri :)
You honour me with your words...but I wasn't doing anything special. Everyone who is able (I know there a lot of people for various reasons who cannot) should give. You have to hope that if you were ever in need, then there would be an adequate blood supply for you.
ReplyDelete