Comments on: Seven unknown heroes

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:40:26 +0000

Thanks Alison for this post. I try to donate every time I’m eligible. I’ve actually cried when turned away (boarderline low hemoglobins for me) since I wasn’t able to help those times. It’s nice to know stories of those we help out. You are an inspiration!

By: AlisonH

AlisonH — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:12:08 +0000

To Ann and anybody else so inclined: yes, thank you, please do.

By: suburbancorrespondent

suburbancorrespondent — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:19:50 +0000

Point taken; I’ve been slacking and avoiding the Red Cross vampires when they call. But if it helps people like you, I’d better get on over there!

By: ann

ann — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:06:19 +0000

Alison, may I have permission to forward this post to the blood drive coordinator at my workplace? I’m bettingthat if she shares it with our staff of 90, we’ll have several new blood donors next go-around.

By: Cindi

Cindi — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:57:45 +0000

Very well said. Some people saved my life when I was in my 20’s and got toxic shock. What a wonderful way to save a life.

By: Marlene

Marlene — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:20:30 +0000

I hope your relative will come to realize that her blood is indeed valuable. I’m AB+ as well, and for years after my last child was born I was getting a personal phone call asking me to come and donate. It had something to do with my blood type and being a mother of more than 2 children under a certain age. I tested positive for some element that is especially valuable to those having transplants. I think the way it worked was that my blood could be given to anyone of any blood type who was having transplant surgery. It was considered quite rare.

Unfortunately I haven’t donated blood for a long time. Surly nurses turned it into a very unpleasant experience for me. Now, post surgery, I am likely no longer a candidate anyways.

By: Candy

Candy — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:50:54 +0000

Alison, I only just found your blog today, and have been engrossed in reading it all afternoon. Due to diverticulitis, diagnosed when I was 30 but now I realize I’ve had it most of my life, I am sporting about half a colon. I don’t have nearly the struggles and challenges you have, yet I found myself relating to so much that you wrote. I’m hoping your on the mend now, and that the future will be bright. And I’m absolutely going to go find those knitting needles I can’t remember where I put! Thanks for the inspiration.

By: Serena

Serena — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:31:09 +0000

For those that have problems with iron, try cooking with cast iron pots. The food will actually absorb iron from the pots and pans.

I couldn’t donate for a long time, because of my lupus. However, the RC/Bonfils (local blood collection company) changed their rules in the last fews years, and I can donate now. We have drives about every 2 months at work, so I go down and donate then.

Glad you’re feeling better Allison!!!!

By: Channon

Channon — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:36:41 +0000

We donate locally to Virginia Blood Services, so I know it wasn’t any of us, but I did give through the Red Cross for many years. (Until I learned it wasn’t supplying local hospitals…)

By: RobinH

RobinH — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:03:48 +0000

I’ve been a donor for years and years, as you say, because I can. But recently I’ve been struggling with iron levels- they were never great, but I could usually scrape by. But for several months, they weren’t high enough to donate, and kept getting worse.

After testing some diet changes, I finally have had to mostly give up drinking tea- (the tannin inhibits iron absorption). And, good news, passed my iron this month with flying colors (presumably red colors). So now I’ll hopefully be back on a regular schedule – I really have no excuse, they have a drive every 2 weeks, about 3 blocks from my house. And after all, how often is it that a regular ordinary person has the opportunity to save a life?

So glad that CA donors were there for you, Alison!