Only I didn't get to make a difference and this deeply bothers me. Let me give you a little background. I have an awesome blood type: O negative.
The American Red Cross loves me. Everyone loves me; or at least they should. I am a universal donor. Should a blood transfusion be needed, potentially any person can receive type O negative blood regardless of their blood type. Amazing!
Blood donation is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give. If you have never given you should really look into it, get over your fear of needles and just do it. Be selfless, give about an hour of your time, and help save a life. Blood, platelets, and/or plasma are used for accident victims, kidney/liver/heart transplants, premature babies, bone marrow transplants, open heart surgeries, cancer/leukemia treatments, sickle cell anemia even severe burns.
An accident victim could require 4-100 units of blood; your donation only covers 1 unit.
A severe burn patient could require 8 units of plasma, again your donation only covers 1 unit.
A premature baby could require 1-4 units while in intensive care.
The American Red Cross loves me. Everyone loves me; or at least they should. I am a universal donor. Should a blood transfusion be needed, potentially any person can receive type O negative blood regardless of their blood type. Amazing!
Blood donation is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give. If you have never given you should really look into it, get over your fear of needles and just do it. Be selfless, give about an hour of your time, and help save a life. Blood, platelets, and/or plasma are used for accident victims, kidney/liver/heart transplants, premature babies, bone marrow transplants, open heart surgeries, cancer/leukemia treatments, sickle cell anemia even severe burns.
An accident victim could require 4-100 units of blood; your donation only covers 1 unit.
A severe burn patient could require 8 units of plasma, again your donation only covers 1 unit.
A premature baby could require 1-4 units while in intensive care.
**
Yesterday was my day to donate! I was all ready to go. I even bring Boy Child, despite his protest. Blood makes his "tummy feel funny" but I want him to see how important this is. Maybe someday we'll be able to save a life together.
So I get to the blood drive that was set up in my town, sign in, fill out the paper work and get my rockin' name tag (see above).
Once my name was called I went into the closed off booth to answer the repetitive questions and have my hemoglobin checked.
Hemoglobin is a protein carried by the red blood cells that contains iron.
Medical term for low hemoglobin? Anemia
In order to donate you must have a hemoglobin level of 13.8-17.2 for males and 12.1-15.1 for females.
I have the little finger prick done, blood sample put in the machine and we wait....
...and wait...
LLL
So I get to the blood drive that was set up in my town, sign in, fill out the paper work and get my rockin' name tag (see above).
Once my name was called I went into the closed off booth to answer the repetitive questions and have my hemoglobin checked.
Hemoglobin is a protein carried by the red blood cells that contains iron.
Medical term for low hemoglobin? Anemia
In order to donate you must have a hemoglobin level of 13.8-17.2 for males and 12.1-15.1 for females.
I have the little finger prick done, blood sample put in the machine and we wait....
...and wait...
LLL
LLL? Seriously!?
The guy looks at me and says "Wow! Its not even registering, that's low"
I sat there completely stunned. I take a 65mg iron supplement everyday on top of a multivitamin due to my absorption issues with gastric bypass and also because I went the vegetarian route back in December.
How could this be?
I have to sign a form saying I've been deferred; please wait 12 weeks before you try again. Here are some dietary advisements, get healthy and have a great day.
I felt like I was just told my dog died. (I don't have a dog but whatever)
I'm torn. I gave up meat for many reasons but I'm also very pro-active about blood donation. I'm even an organ donor, well not yet obviously!
If me consuming meat again is going to save a life then is it worth it? Am I risking my health right now? I'm obviously not doing something right. I thought I was consuming enough foods that would keep me healthy; keep us healthy. If my levels are low Boy Child's levels must be also.
Consume an animal to keep us healthy and help save a life every 56 - 112 days, depending if I'm donating whole blood or double red cells (which they want these from me too) or continue on this road, which has yet to be determined but I don't think it looks promising.
**
Do your part, go donate and help save lives!
The guy looks at me and says "Wow! Its not even registering, that's low"
I sat there completely stunned. I take a 65mg iron supplement everyday on top of a multivitamin due to my absorption issues with gastric bypass and also because I went the vegetarian route back in December.
How could this be?
I have to sign a form saying I've been deferred; please wait 12 weeks before you try again. Here are some dietary advisements, get healthy and have a great day.
I felt like I was just told my dog died. (I don't have a dog but whatever)
I'm torn. I gave up meat for many reasons but I'm also very pro-active about blood donation. I'm even an organ donor, well not yet obviously!
If me consuming meat again is going to save a life then is it worth it? Am I risking my health right now? I'm obviously not doing something right. I thought I was consuming enough foods that would keep me healthy; keep us healthy. If my levels are low Boy Child's levels must be also.
Consume an animal to keep us healthy and help save a life every 56 - 112 days, depending if I'm donating whole blood or double red cells (which they want these from me too) or continue on this road, which has yet to be determined but I don't think it looks promising.
**
Do your part, go donate and help save lives!
I'm off to "get healthy!"
4 comments:
oh no!! sorry you could not donate :( i can't donate either because i'm also anemic - i take iron supplements all the time, etc. but i can never get my levels where they need to be to donate. i hate it :(
on the bright side - at least you tried!! :)
I wanted to donate once, but I had just gotten a tattoo. And now that I'm on meds for anxiety, that sort of disqualifies me.
BAG: No it doesn't! Call the hotline and ask if your medication is on their "banned list". There are a few, read: few, but it's definitely worth checking out!
jenn: Anemia: it's evil!
It sounds like you're trying to make this world a better place all around! I too have O negative blood and I donate every chance I get. I would try a few different things diet-wise before all together giving up if I were you. You must have had your reasons for going vegetarian, so try looking into other options. Try eating lots of foods that have both iron and vitamin c in them; it helps it absorb easier. Broccoli is a good one. That's one of my staples. I hope everything works out for you!
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