In Response to Bitter Sweet Sunday Post

I have actively started doing small things to help out in the community and possibly influence other people after my revelation Sunday. I have sent an email blast to friends and family to recruit a team of at least 10 people to run with me in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It is here in Raleigh at Meredith College, and if any of you readers out there know people in the area who would be interested, pass my information along! I would love to get as many people as possible to join the team!

I plan on going to donate blood again sometime this week or next. The Red Cross has been calling a lot lately, which means they are pretty hard up for some good blood - I'll just have to give it to them! After my experience last time, I will definitely be taking someone with me!

Finally, I've been looking into helping out at the SPCA. I am an animal lover, particularly dogs. I think helping at the SPCA would be a great volunteer activity for me. I am a little worried, however, that I will become attached to some of the animals, so this one isn't definite just yet. I need to go visit the facilities and really see what it is all about before I make any promises.

What are your community involvement activities? Any suggestions?

Giving Blood

I went yesterday to be a good citizen and give blood. Let me just say I have a VERY high tolerance for pain and I'm not grossed out at all by blood. In previous surgeries I have even requested to stay awake and watch the procedure. So all was well while I was giving blood yesterday.

Until I got to the snack station.

I knew I should probably eat and drink so I had some pretzels and diet Pepsi (gross). As I sit there watching a rerun of Desperate Housewives, I start to get hot and weak. I wanted to raise my hand to call someone over, but I couldn't move. At some point I guess I closed my eyes and the next thing I knew, I was laying on the ground with 5 Red Cross ladies hovering over me. They were asking me my name, which thankfully I knew, and telling me to cough really hard. Somehow I had been put into a wheelchair and they took me back to a bed to lie down.

After some regular Pepsi (still gross - I'm a coke girl) I started to feel better. The ice pack on my neck helped too. After about 10 mins. I was able to get up and drive home. I wasn't feeling completely better by that time, but it was closing time and I knew they all wanted to get home. So the whole way home I continued to make myself cough (it apparently gets the blood flowing in your head) to avoid passing out again. I made it home safely but felt like crap the rest of the day. I still feel tired today, but I'm hoping that is because it is an ugly day and not because of my debacle yesterday.

The Red Cross ladies kept telling me that this happens a lot to first-timers and that it probably won't happen again. I really want to give blood often, but I don't want this to happen every time. I guess we'll just have to see next time I go!

What are you experiences?

My Blood is Your Blood

I've never given blood. I want to though. Why? I have been wanting to do something for the community lately, and what better way to start than donating blood? I reviewed all of the restrictions and qualification requirements, and it looks like I pass with flying colors. I'm not the least bit nervous or scared. I have no fear of needles and a very high pain tolerance. This should be a piece of cake! I wanted to go yesterday, but couldn't find an open donation center! I feel like I see them everywhere, but the day I want to go there are none to be found...the search will continue though. I won't give up until I find a place and time I can donate.

Anyone else have blood donation stories to share? Precautions? Advice?