I believe that donating blood is an important mitzvah (charitable act). It is one of those few activities for non-medical personnel where you know that you have the potential to save a life. I also know that I am apparently missing an antibody that normally appears in childhood (I wonder what disease I didn't have?) and that makes my blood particularly attractive to premature infants. Interestingly, I just learned from the Red Cross website that the plasma from my AB+ blood is also particularly attractive. However, for years, the actual capability to donate eluded me. I just didn't have enough iron to give consistently.
These days (thank you menopause) I tip over the scale regularly, though not by much. There is a drive at work four times a year, and I try hard to make an appointment and go every time. Nevertheless, the aftereffects of giving blood seem to be more and more draining as I get older. Yesterday was one of those times. I ate breakfast and lunch, and thought I was drinking enough. I felt fine when I started, but by the end, once again, I was flat on my back with my knees up, trying hard not to faint. For the rest of the day I felt light-headed and fuddled.
I already have my appointment for July, and I will keep going back. Perhaps I can figure out some way to avoid the difficulties next time. I need to keep telling myself that without my blood, another person might die. I can only hope that thought continues to outweigh the after effects.
•The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 16 million (2006).
•The number of blood donors in the U.S. in a year: 9.5 million (2006).
•The number of patients who receive blood in the U.S. in a year: 5 million (2006).
•Share of the U.S. population eligible to give blood: Less than 38 percent.
•Blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors.
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