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! :D :D :D :D
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! :)
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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!
what a great post!! I have donated a few times, but I still don’t know my blood type…seems like something that I should know.
congrats on not just helping others, but being healthy
Good for you, Ange! I have to admit, I have been far too nervous to ever donate blood. In high school, I used the excuse that I was under the recommended weight (I was a little short string bean), and now I am just too scared. Maybe your post will inspire me to donate blood the next time I see a blood drive advertised! (Maybe I should add it to my Fitness Bucket List?)
Awww, good for you, Ange! That’s so awesome. Love the jig of happiness – haha :)
I’m the universal donor type, but that last couple of times I’ve donated have been disasters. I won’t go into detail for fear of persuading others not to donate – because one time it was my fault, and the other time it was the volunteer’s fault. One of these days I’ll get back to it, though!
I also donate blood, it’s such a great way to help people and isn’t as terrifying as people seem to think.
A woman who once thecked my hemoglobin told me that some people don’t eat red meat (shocker), especially women which is really bad for the blood. I then replied that I’m a vegetarian. HA! So much to “you have to eat meat to donate blood”. What a lie!
Good job Ang! I have donated in the past but from travelling to certain countries in the past few years I haven’t been able to but should be able to soon! This was a good reminder for me to get back into doing it!
What an amazing story. Great job, Angela!
This is so great! I have been turned away the last 2 times I went to donate because my blood pressure was too low. The last time, the nice tech told me to drink a soda and eat some chips before coming in to help raise my blood pressure.
It makes me happy to know I am helping some one in need:)
Way to go! I need to do that too. Now I’m inspired!
You are lucky that you had a good person. I’ve given blood and it hurt like heck.
I used to donate blood all the time and then the US put a stupid rule in place that said I couldn’t because of how long I’d lived outside the US. I think the rule has changed and I want to try to donate again the next time they are here.
My husband and I have both been regular blood donors for years! He has gotten mugs and certificates for multiple gallons donated…I forget how many.
Since 9/11 I would go every 8 weeks like clockwork…but then I started being rejected for low iron and so I haven’t been back since last year.
Maybe I will go see if the green monsters did the trick for me too!
Thanks for the motivation to send me to the blood bank to check…and yet another great and creative post.
Congrats! I admit I have been slacking off on giving blood — I need to get back into a regular schedule. I did test too low for iron once (I don’t eat red meat, and I’m always right on the edge) and I started crying! The poor technician’s like, “Uh, you can try again in three days…” heehee! Which, of course, I did!
About a month ago, I gave blood for the first time. Every year for Christmas, my family donates something in honor of my grandparents as their Christmas gift. Since my grandpa needed multiple blood transfusions this summer, we decided to give blood. I will continue to give blood as often as possible.
I actually never thought about this until I read your post – I also tried to donate blood in college and was turned away because of my low hemoglobin. During my pregnancy I consistently tested as borderline anemic. I had to take iron pills, and even they didn’t really elevate my levels much – my doctor finally told me it was probably just a natural state for me. But now, I have been drinking green smoothies with tons of spinach practically every day for the past 6 months. Your post is now making me wonder whether or not this has changed things – I may have to make another trip to the blood bank to check it out!
Way to go on giving blood Angela!! Obviously, by your exciting post, it felt wonderful :)
I always have low iron (since I was a kid), so it has never been an option for me…but after your post, I may add it to my 1001 things to do list and see if I can pass the hemoglobin test at least once!
Have a very safe trip to the East Coast and a Merry Christmas!
Congrats on being able to donate! That’s awesome.
I’ve never donated as I am kind of borderline for the minimum weight requirement; I’m probably just over, but I’m prone to hypotension so I fear the combination would make me faint! My fiance donates regularly, though, and I think it’s great.
Wow . . . good on you for donating blood! I have always wanted to but Ive been scared. Im glad you posted all those pictures, it seems far less daunting now. I dont even know my blood type, but I really would like go and donate blood. I hear the commercials all the time, and some of them make me tear up a little. It really is the best gift you can give.
I’ve tried to donate 3 times and was able to donate 2 out of the 3. The first time I fainted and the second two times I nearly fainted – they had to tip me upside down, but I made it. Any tips for that? I’d like to donate again, but I’m so scared to faint. I don’t look at it or anything! It’s so weird. But I do know I’m AB- !!
Wow, look how many people you’ve inspired! That is so great. I have been meaning to go over to the hospital near my work and donate. I’ve only done it once before, a couple of years ago — previously I was too nervous because I’ve always been terrified of needles, but I figure since I’ve managed to tolerate multiple tattoos and piercings I can sit through a few minutes of blood-letting. It still makes me really squeamish, but I want to make an effort to do it a lot more often. I’m O+, which I didn’t think was all that common but it seems like a whole lot of commenters are my same type.
You make donating blood so inspiring! I have always been too nervous to even attempt giving blood, assuming I would pass out or something completely unexpected. But I really do want to give it a try sometime in the future when I can work up the courage! Way to go!
Giving blood is one of my favorite ways to be a good citizen. I go every 8 weeks and it makes me feel better than practically anything else that I can do for my fellow people! Cheesy, I know! I was so excited to read that this is important to you too. Most people think that I make far too much out of it’s importance! Thank you for posting about this topic — you make SUCH good use of your blog!