Approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood.
Yup, I finally passed the hemoglobin test and was able to successfully donate blood today! 
Note: If you don’t like blood you may not like some of the pictures below.
Just so you understand fully how much this means to me, let me explain…
I used to work at Canadian Blood Services.
In fact, I paid my way through my undergraduate university career by working 25 hours a week for 3 years at CBS while I was in school. It was a great place to work and I got to meet a ton of inspiring people during my time there.
However, there was always one problem….
I always failed the hemoglobin (iron) test!
Your hemoglobin levels must be high enough to donate blood or you are turned away. During my time at CBS, I was tested countless times and turned away each time as my hemoglobin failed to be higher than 12.5.
I knew deep down that the reason I was failing my tests was because of my poor diet. I didn’t give my body the proper nutrients it needed. I starved myself. I ate nutrient void foods.
I felt a void inside when I could not donate blood, but it took several years for me to finally get on my road to health.
In the past couple years, my diet has changed dramatically. Not only did I go from vegetarian to vegan, but I started being aware of the nutrients and amounts I was getting. Early in 2009, my doctor tested my blood and told me that my iron levels were great. Further tests this summer revealed the same.
I knew it was time to get back on the horse!
Today, I called up Canadian Blood Services and I made an appointment. Having worked there before, I am especially aware of how much blood is in need during the holiday season. The donation rates are often really low because people are traveling and busy doing other things.
I admit, I was a nervous wreck driving to the clinic.
What if I didn’t pass? What if I couldn’t give blood? I wondered.
I made sure to drink a lot of water and eat a big lunch right before I left. Water helps the blood flow and food helps with recovery and prevents dizziness and nausea.
I was anxious, anxious, anxious.
Then, the moment of truth:
I PASSED!
THANK YOU GREEN MONSTERS WITH COOKED SPINACH!!!!!!!!! 
I had a HUGE grin on my face that could not be removed! I was going to donate blood- that is, as long as I passed the series of questions…
After answering questions in a booth, and then more with a nurse, it was time to donate. I had the sweetest clinician attending to me. I told her how I was vegan and I was so happy I passed the test. She asked me a ton of questions about veganism and the time just flew by. It was only about 15 minutes for the actual donation part!
Notice that you don’t even ‘see’ the needle! It was covered up:
They ask you to squeeze a ball or balled up towel to get the blood flowing.
The whole process was painless! It takes 15 mins to donate 450 ml of blood (1/2 pint).
There is a tiny prick when the needle goes in but it was nothing. I barely knew I was giving blood!
Afterward, they ask you to put pressure on the entry point and stay on the chair for 5 minutes (10 mins for 1st timers).
Easy as pie!
A couple FAQ’s:
How long does it take to replace the whole blood taken during donation?
The plasma portion of a donation is replaced within hours, the platelet portion within days and red blood cells in about 56 days. This is why blood donors cannot give more often than once every 56 days.
How long after donating blood should a donor avoid strenuous activity?
Donors should avoid strenuous activity for about 6-8 hours after donating blood.
The whole process, start to finish, took about 60 minutes, but that was mostly because I stayed and gabbed away at the refreshment table for 15 mins. 
Met some lovely people!
I came home and did a little jig of happiness! What a high I felt.
I concluded that donating blood is very similar to running in a race:
- You need to pre-fuel (Lots of water and food beforehand!)
- Lay off the booze…completely
- You will urgently have to pee right before you begin
- Your heart will race
- You will tear up (on my drive home- what a sap!)
- You will grin uncontrollably when it is over
- You totally get to veg out the rest of the day- you need to rest!!
- You will have to urgently pee immediately afterwards
- You will consume lots of food and drink afterwards
- You will eat dark chocolate in massive quantities because you deserve it (oops!)
- You will wear your favourite shoes (note stilettos above!)
It may not seem like much to regular blood donors, but for me today was huge. I have been waiting for so long to do this, and to be able to do it is just an amazing feeling.
I always picture myself in someone else’s shoes and imagine if it was ME who needed the blood. It is such an easy thing to do, but it saves lives.
You can be sure I will be donating every 56 days from now on!
~~~~
Have you ever donated blood before? Were you ever rejected because of low hemoglobin levels?
Would you try out blood donation?
Do you know your blood type?
For those of you looking for a way to make a difference I encourage you to consider donating blood. Obviously it isn’t for everyone due to religion, personal beliefs, or health conditions, but for those of you who can and would like to, I say give it a shot. It is SO easy, painless, and yes…FUN. I really had a fun time and I met some cool people. It was like a social hour…just without the cocktails!
Also, a tip for women: If you have problems being rejected due to low iron don’t try to donate when you are menstruating or immediately after. Wait until the 3rd week of your cycle if you can.
I don’t know my blood type, but I will when my donor card arrives in the mail.
Still nervous? Watch this video showing you the entire process from start to finish!
Canadians: You can find a clinic near you by clicking here.
Americans: Click here for more info.
Brits: Click here for more info.
Off to make a big dinner! hehe
Coming up: My 10 in 2010… I will also be telling you what life changing experience I signed up for!
{ 102 comments }
oooohhhh haha i thought this WAS the life-changing experience
i had a professor one time that asked our class who know their astrological sign (everyone did) and then he asked who knew their blood type and only a few people raised their hands…he was like “knowing your astrological sign is nothing but knowing your blood type can SAVE YOUR LIFE”…heck of a point lol
so true! I cant wait to find out my type!
I love how you had the lady take pictures of you. After a while of blogging, we become shameless. Great work!
yes, I am shamelesssssssssssss lol
thank you for bringing awareness to such an important issue! I try to donate at least 2 or 3 times a year and wish everyone could do the same! I have been rejected for my iron many times in the past but not in a very long time due to similar changes in my diet to yours!
Good for you Angela! I’m going to look up a clinic close to me
Yeah, I’m going to have to humbly disagree on this one. I have never and I refuse to donate blood because I have an uncontrollable fear of needles and to me they hurt really badly (no little prick, extreme pain and terror) and are the complete opposite of fun. Even looking at your pictures above made me feel dizzy. I’ve had to get blood taken once for medical reasons and it took almost 2 hours for me to calm down enough for (MALE) nurses to be able to hold me still. Yeah, it’s that bad.
But, more power to you and others that can do it.
I have that problem too – even routine shots are a problem because I psych myself out and end up passing out at least half the time. I feel kind of guilty that I don’t but I know that if I went to try I would end up passing out and not being able to give anyway!
I used to donate blood every 60 days but I got out of the habit after training for the Ironman and then when I got pregnant I couldn’t. I should start again. It is so easy and it can save people’s life! I’m A positive and keep my blood donor card in my wallet!
Congratulations on passing and being able to donate!! I started donating when I was in high school and have done it a few times since then. I’d love to get in the habit of doing it though. My father used to donate every few months b/c he and I are both O+!
I think it’s awesome you’re doing a post on donating blood.
I used to donate blood but I always felt like I was going to pass out when I donated so after two almost pass-outs they told me it wasn’t worth it and i should stop coming. i felt kinda disappointed that I couldn’t give blood.
is it true that if you can’t give a whole bag of blood they don’t use it? were my attempts in vain?
Congrats for passing the test! I’ve never donated blood before because I assumed you couldn’t be active for a while afterwards. But 6-8 hours?? That’s nothing! Do you have to be sedentary before too? I’m definitely interested now
During my last semester of nursing school, I was driving home from my clinical at the hospital and passed the blood bank. I had also just heard on the radio they were short on doners and walk-ins were welcome. So, I stopped and went in to donate. I passed all the screening, they found a vein, poked, I’m good. I was almost to the end when I started seeing black spots. I knew my blood pressure was dropping, I hadn’t eaten since breakfast nor did I drink much throughout my long day at the hospital. They stopped my donation and tried to get me to eat. I was nauseated by that time. I was also mad knowing they would probably trash my *almost* full bag of blood because it didn’t weigh enough. The whole experience was a downer for me. See how you are laying there with your legs crossed at the ankle? I kept laying like that because it’s how I’m most comfortable and the tech kept making me uncross my legs. I was cold and uncomfortable. I haven’t been back to the blood bank since. Not out of fear of the blood or needle, but I’m afraid my body will fail me again. I’ve always wanted to fuel up and be well hydrated before giving it another shot, but just never have done it. I’ll also be curious to know if you notice a difference in your workouts, post donation. Good job, girlie!
Good for you! I donate every chance I get. It’s an easy thing you can do that can make a world of difference for someone. Both my brother and mother have needed a lot of blood during surgeries, and I feel good contributing to something so necessary!
Congrats on finally being able to give blood.
I used to go with a group from work every 60 days but they did away with the limo pick up and drop off program so I haven’t done it in a while. I need to go to the hospital to visit my cousin so I’ll be sure to go and donate when I’m there.
I am B+.
I used to LOVE giving blood especially as I have a more rare type. I always hoped someone else out there who had my rare type was giving too in case I needed some! My friend and I would give blood in college and race to see who could fill up the bag fastest! LOL. BUT…I spent a semester in England and now am no longer allowed to give blood in the USA even though it was about 12 years ago. There is a restriction on those that lived in England during a certain time because I may carry mad cow disease! So disappointing, and such a waste of a willing blood donor.
Glad you did it…good for you!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
I agree that donating blood is important… unfortunately I had a bad experience the first time I donated and I’ve been nervous to try again ever since…
way to go angela! my dad always donates blood (my mom can’t due to an illness when she was young) so hopefully i can someday too :]
I can never donate blood because I lived in Europe for 9 years, circa Mad Cow era. Very sad. I wish I could donate.
My fiance donates as often as possible, ever since his brother got really sick and had to rely on infusions to stay alive.
Can you donate plasma?
That’s so lovely.
Angela – would you be willing disclose what your pre- and post-haemoglobin levels were? I am not aenemic but chronically sit at about a 3 for my ferretin stores (I know! I baffle both my MD and my ND…)
Not being able to donate has always been a downer for my, as it’s a passionate pastime in my family.
Thanks.
That’s so great that you were finally able to give blood! My boyfriend’s father has been donating blood every 2 months for many many years now, and I think it’s wonderful. However, I have never been able to give blood because while I am definitely older than 16 (23, in fact, haha), I am under 110 lbs… that’s too bad. Thanks for giving us a recap of your experience!
That’s awesome. I have given blood and I always think that I need to do it more. Even if you’ve travelled your can still give plasma.
It’s saving someone’s life..
Are you a blood marrow donor? It’s a good thing to think about.
Good for you Ange! What a wonderful way to give back during the holidays. I’ve never donated blood myself…tried to once during high school, but I get so woozy at the sight of needles that they actually had to sit me in a separate room before I even had a chance to attempt a donation. My husband and I aren’t eligible to give blood because we visit the Dominican Republic pretty often. They have a high rate of malaria there, and while neither of us has ever contracted it, they pretty much won’t bother with you if you’ve been there within the last six months (and we go 2-3 times a year, so it’s always within six months of our last visit). I’ve never needed blood, and knock wood, hopefully I never will, but kudos to you and all the other donors out there who step up to the challenge! Merry Christmas!
I JUST wrote a post with my goals for 2010, and donating blood was on there! I’ve always been too afraid to donate blood, but in recent years I’ve been under doctor’s supervision for a medical conditions that require s blood samples all the time, and it hit me: it’s about time I actually donated! Thanks for posting such a comprehensive overview… it helps to de-terrify it a little bit
you are so awesome for doing this and raising awareness!!! thank you!
I just started giving blood again. I have O- blood. But, I always used to pass out!! They told me I should stop coming in.
I tried again last year and I was successful. The trick – for me – is drinking A LOT of water beforehand. 
Congrats on your successful donation!
Jackie @ TriToLose
I wish I could but I never weigh enough =/ The absolute minimum they told me was 110.
This is so inspirational. As soon as I weigh enough, I hope to give it a shot. Thank you for this post!
I loved this post, Angela!
Last year at this time I was in a strong battle against Leukemia. I required NUMEROUS blood transfusions as well as plenty of platelets. I remember the doctors being anxious when they knew I needed a transfusion on the 23rd of December, as there was barely any blood out there. I also remember seeing this on the news and it made me really nervous. Luckily, as I was considered some-what ‘high priority’ I was able to get the blood that I needed, but I know that there were MANY others out there that had to wait.
Thanks to amazing people like YOU, I am alive today!
(I loved to see the DONOR’s side of things!!!!!)
Thanks Angela <3
~Sara
I’m glad that you were able to give blood today. I’ve given blood several times before, but not recently. This post definitely gave me the motivation I need to sign myself back up!
I’m really happy for you, but reading about people giving blood always makes me sad, because no matter how much I want to, I can’t! Which is really bad as well, because I’m O negative, which is the most useful kind of blood!
I think giving blood is a really amazing thing, make sure that you go back next time too! I think a lot of people do it once, say that they want to do it again but don’t actually get round to doing it.
I bet the iron levels were high because of your green monsters!
I just donated blood a few weeks ago in Peterborough. I’m one of the few people in my family who can donate (medical issues and all that). I love doing it too!
Aw good for you
I’ve always wanted to give blood but I can’t 
I lived in Europe during the mad cow time period and apparently now I may or may not have mad cow, lol.
I donate every 120 days. I have been turned away a few times d/t low HgB, but i also go back and it is back to normal after I eat some higher iron foods. I am O negative, so i feel it is really important for me to donate. Plus, I work in the ICU and hang blood all the time, so I see the end-result of donation and know how important it is.
A complete side note: I think its awesome you’re rocking stilettos whilst donating!
I’m so stoked to hear that you donated!
I’ve always been an advocate of blood donation but I never did myself because I’ve always had a bad phobia of needles – even having to get blood taken from me every other week for several months didn’t make that go away. Three years ago though I finally sucked it up though and donated – something along the lines of “hey, yes, I have a phobia, but it’s entirely mental and I know that – but the blood is real, and the blood helps people, which is way more important than my anxiety – there are mechanisms for coping with anxiety.” It means that they are always asking me if I’m okay when I donate because I practice deep breathing and imaging, but I donate when I’m able to – thanks for the tip about the best time for our iron to be up – I do struggle with low iron levels (despite working with my Dr. and incorporating a lot of iron rich foods into my diet), so it’s always a guessing game – I’ll make sure to help out the odds next time.
You get a red star for giving the gift of life today
I hate needles. I start giggling nervously even when just doing a quick blood draw, and cannot bear to watch the needle go in, and can’t stand looking at the needle in my arm. But like you, Anna, I can’t imagine not giving blood when I can. I hate needles and can’t help but physically react with panic around them. I take deep breaths as well, and glue my eyeballs in the opposite direction of the needle because it is so important to me to give blood. (It’s the same reason I donated my hair–while it’s uncomfortable for me for awhile, I cannot imagine how hard it would be to not have hair, or not have blood).
I have had problems with iron in the past, but I’m currently on iron supplements (available at most drugstores!) and haven’t had problems since. I am also sure to treat myself on blood donation days–I eat heartily, drink LOTS and LOTS of water (this helps with feeling light headed). I’ve been able to do a varsity practice afterwards no problem.
You continue to inspire me, Ange. That’s amazing and just went on my goal list.
I’ve just used your link and found the clinic closest to me- it is soooo close it is silly to think of NOT going. and 56 days? That flies by. I really, really hope I am able to donate.
Congrats on being able to donate! That’s so wonderful.
I’m so envious of people who are able to do it; I can’t because I don’t weigh nearly enough. My whole family donates and I feel terrible every time they go and I can’t. And it kills me when perfectly eligible people don’t care enough to do it. Anyway – you’re awesome for finally passing the test and caring enough to post about it!
What a wonderful gift! I have donated blood a few times and each time passed out after. I like the donuts they give you.
This is exactly what I am afraid of – I tend to psych myself out!
Being a nursing student, I give blood quite a bit!! I also see the need for it! The only time I was denied was when I had been in a foreign country for a mission trip that previous summer
Angela – You rock and, YEAH, I noticed the stilettos. I thought those actually proved how brave you were.
I’ve had chronically low iron in the past but I have a feeling it will be A-okay when I get it checked next time because I haven’t missed a spinach smoothie in a long time!
I always have to pee right before anything I’m nervous about – always!
Way to go.
PS. I’m O+, my husband is A+ – His parents told that was the only A+ he ever got
I donated frequently in HS, but I was right at the weight line (110 lbs) and often passed out and or went dangerously low on BP. Haven’t since my last time 6 years ago bc of a major scare (I blacked out long term) I’ve got a pound or two more than that now
maybe I should try again this year!
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