blood – Terence Eden’s Blog

My Ⅳᵗʰ Blood Donation

@edent — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 12:34:11 +0000

The blood donation centre was full. It was literally standing-room only, with those of us waiting our turn stood around until a cheap plastic chair became available.

Perhaps it was delays. Perhaps there had been an urgent call for blood. Perhaps the events in Ukraine spurred people to donate.

Perhaps, even subconsciously, it feels like a good time to donate what you can, ensure the reserves are fully stocked, and - selfishly - make a deposit at the Karma bank?

Just before the needle pierced my skin, a cheer went up. A nurse announced that one of our fellows was about to start his one-hundredth donation!

I still have some way to go - although my next donation will net me a bronze donor's card. A few more after that and I'll get a certificate. But, in truth, a good deed is its own reward. Plus a free biscuit and a packet of crisps. What more could you ask for?

It was over before I knew it. Honestly, the worst thing about it is the fingerprick test to make sure your iron levels are OK. It stings for a bit, but it's the feeling of them milking the blood out of the finger which really creeps me out.

If you meet the eligibility criteria please sign up.

Giving Blood - Part Ⅲ

@edent — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 12:34:56 +0000

Last time it was a mid-pandemic trip to a giant shopping mall. This time, a pre-Xmas trip to a youth centre. Glamorous! I always feel slightly boring when I answer the pre-donation questionnaire. No, I haven't been travelling to exotic locations, having sex with multiple strangers in exchange for drugs and money. I could blame lockdown, but it's unlikely I'd be doing those things anyway!

Bit of an odd one this time. My blood was too "fizzy" to do the iron level drop - so they had to do it the old fashioned way. Then it turned out that my veins were too "flat". No idea what that meant, but a different nurse was able to exsanguinate me properly.

And then, the machine wouldn't stop bleeping. Apparently my flow was too low. So I raised my heart rate by thinking of exciting things. Like tonight's episode of Doctor Who!

The best thing about donating isn't the free drink (delicious purple flavoured isotonic water) nor the free snacks (crisps, chocolate, or popcorn this time) but the high-quality free stickers!

And so another 470㎖ of the good stuff is sent off to the bank. If you need blood in the next few weeks, I hope you will enjoy some organically-reared, vegan-fed, cruelty-free blood on me ☺

Giving Blood - Part Deux

@edent — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 11:18:32 +0000

Two years ago, I gave my first blood donation.

Due to a combination of moving house, and the whole pandemic thing, I've not been able to donate again until now.

It was quick - in and out in 90 minutes. And didn't hurt a bit. Well, OK, a bit. But they give you as much squash as you can drink and were generous with the biscuits and crisps.

I'm not going to leave it so long next time. So, if you need blood in the next few days in London - I hope you enjoy my organically reared, vegan fed, small batch, top quality haemoglobin.

You should register to donate at Blood.co.uk