Cory Back on Tap?

[csberry]

Once upon a time, I was a frequent blood donor to the American Red Cross. I would give a pint, go eat some crackers, and then walk to the receptionist to schedule my next donation 56 days later. The first semester of my freshman year of college I donated a pint (Hey, they were set up on the first floor of my dorm it they offered free food). When I stopped donating at the end of 1999, I had donated over 5 gallons of blood.

I didn't want to stop donating, I was snagged by an inevitability - I had a false positive for one of the HepB screens. Granted, the test they used at the time had a 10% false positive rate. Despite further tests showing I was negative, the fact that one screen came up positive that one time was enough for me to be removed from the eligible donor list.

Every year since then I've called the Red Cross to see if there had been any changes that would reinstate me. Today I got word that I might be reinstated. They have to check out my file more, but the folks at the blood center in Nashville thought I was in the group that were reinstated because of the goofy test and other reasons. I'm expecting a call on Monday or Tuesday to verify my reinstatement and they will forward my paperwork to the Alabama chapter.

I'm so excited about this. It is pitiful how few people take the time to flex their fist and eat free food to save someone's life. I understand some people FREAK at needles, but most people could easily take the time to help our nation's blood supply with a pint or two a year. It has pained me so much these past 7 years to see news reports about the blood supply crises and not be able to donate.

Anyone in H'ville care to join me for a donation if this news proves true? I'll hold your hand and tell you it's okay. Lord knows, I can't look when they stab me, but otherwise I'm fine. I'll even buy you a treat afterward!

Comments

[outherelistenin.livejournal.com]

Ineligible. I've fucked a dude before so... no donating blood for me.

[ex-allenb.livejournal.com]

When I stopped donating at the end of 1999, I had donated over 5 gallons of blood.

HOLY COW! HOW DID YOU SURVIVE???

This is true with many things in life:

[csberry.livejournal.com]

You can do amazing things with your resources when you concentrate, not on the size, but how you use it. :D

[bluevinylangel.livejournal.com]

I used to donate regularly, though not as frequently as you. I'm a bad, bad nurse. I see the posting on HH's internal webpage about low supplies and don't take advantage of being able to walk across the street and donate. For shame!

So, yes, if you find you can donate give a shout and I'll go along for a stick.

Btw, supplies are low again - but that's not unusual.

[csberry.livejournal.com]

Patients of Huntsville, never fear! My A+ blood is coming to the rescue...if the bureaucrats let me!

[otopico.livejournal.com]

i quit giving blood after i donated for a person and then learned they had charged the person for the blood i gave.

its a petty reason, but the fact that is cost someone to accept the gift i gave has bothered me a long time.