I think we all enjoy a free lunch, right?

I miss having simple lunches with my husband.He is the one who donates blood. It has been his practice when I gave birth to my daughter and we needed to donate blood in replacement. However, here in our country, they just give a measly orange juice in tetrapack!LOL!

I have not donated blood yet, it is something I might do in the future. Thanks for sharing the discussion.

Years back, I went to give blood as I wanted to start collecting the pins and in time get gold pin. I was so young at the time, that I really didn't even understand why I should be giving blood...all I wanted was the gold pin. However, after they did the little prick, I was told I was anaemic and they couldn't take my blood. I was really disappointed and all I got for my trouble was a pencil...lol. I went back a few times after that, but it was always the same old story, so I eventually gave up.

You are a hero! Orange juice sounds good, but I'll pass on the sloppy joe's. I tried to donate a few times in the past, but they had a weigh-in and said I wasn't heavy enough.

hi garden gerty I have given blood but cannot now according to the blood bank people as I have anemia and also when I was much younger I had hepatitis so they dont want my blood.lol. However I reallyappreciate all you people who can and do donate. two years ago I came down with bleeding divedrticulitis and it took five days and a lot of tests, and four blood transfusions to get the bleeding stopped and find out what was wrong with me. the barium enema, oh G what an ordeal, actually stopped the bleeding. They found that a small artery in one of the diverticuli had broken open from blackberry seeds and the bleeding caused a severe diarrhea. oh but i was ill all because I ate some fresh blackberries, seeds and all. thats a no no. I was so glad that someone did donate the blood that saved my life. I had already had anemia before this happened so they were really worried. I had to have blood tests done every two hours allnite and all day. thats a lot of sticking. lol lol lol. I wish to thank whoever donated the blood that made me well and healthy again. you are my angels.

good for y'all. i have never given blood. my dad gave gallons when he was younger. he had all kind of letters of apreciation etc.

Well, I would donate Blood if I could, but due to Health Issues, I have never been able to donate blood. Plus with being Diabetic, etc. it is hard for them to get any Blood for even Blood tests, so it might not be an easy task for me if I could do it. But for you to donate blood like this and get a Free meal afterwards sounds awesome. You never know who's life you might save and impact from doing this as well. Glad to hear you wanting to give back like this as well.

There was a blood drive here where I live last week. I could not give blood because I was sick with the flu. But the next time I will. All you get here is orange juice.No breakfast is served here.

[i]Hi Garden, In the Philippines, that is also a regular activity of red cross to entertain people who volunteer to donate their blood! I love also but haven't tried! I was checked before but I didn't qualify because I was underweight![/i]

Thank you for donating blood! I've never donated blood before...always wanted to but never followed through with it. Had no idea they provide a meal for you afterwards, that's very nice of them!

That sounds like a very nice lunch date you and your husband had. I am not able to give blood since I have had cancer before or I would do it. When I was born my mother had to have blood given to her only one problem she had a blood type that was had to get but thankfully she got it. After my second son I had to also have blood given to me so what others like you and your husband do sure is wonderful. When I had to have blood there was a lot of people that my husband worked with who went and donated to replace what was given to me.

I have donated blood once, when i was in college. In my country, we have a regular blood donation program just like you.

Our area has a regular blood donation program however...I cant donate blood. I'm missing a component in my blood that helps healing so they've said that its not a viable blood source. Darn genetics have to make me defective!

I cannot give blood, I have to much wronge with my body, but I am a voluntier at the blood bank and figure that's my gift. It shows that if you try and want to give, there is more than one way to do that.

Good for you and your hubby! Hats off to you both, if it wasn't for people like you some of my relatives wouldn't have lived longer and had a quality life. I used to donate blood back in the late 60's, then from the 70's on I would go and always get turned down because I was below their weight limit for donation. Now that I'm just over the weight limit, I was told I cannot donate because I've had cancer and chemo (which destroyed bone marrow.) I would dearly love to donate, but I can't, so I'm doing the next best thing I can think of: I'm donating my body to a teaching hospital when I'm 'gone.' It's a good feeling to be able to help mankind, research and all that :-) Others in my family donate their blood, I think it's a wonderful thing to do! That's nice they gave a meal, when my ex used to donate they'd always give him a cookie and some orange juice lol.

i haven't donated blood yet but my boyfriend do it on a regular basis and he started donating when he's still in college. he keeps on talking about how he feels great after giving a portion of his blood and how he felt somehow responsible and i admire him for that. i might also do the donating in the future.

Hi GardenGerty.... I am so glad you are able to donate blood...I can't due to anemia...I tried one time (22 years ago) and they said I couldn't...It was a real bummer because I was so excited about helping others.... I encourage people to donate..It is extremely important..Maybe some day you or I will need that blood and it will be good to know it is available..... Donation of blood to save lives and a free meal....Can't get any better than that...

You have a very good deal. They give us cookies when we give blood. I haven't given blood since I started on blood pressure meds, but I used to give blood. If I could get my blood pressure down without meds, I could probably give again. Terrific discussion. I hope more people will give blood. Take care

I've never donated for the simple fact that I have iron sufficiency anemia and there's no way they would let me anywhere near those blood pump machines. I love helping people because it makes me feel good, so I find other ways to make myself useful. My husband donates plasma twice a week. I guess I can say he does it for the both of us.

It has been years since I have given blood. Lately I have seem to get sick a lot more them usual so I do not think that I should. Now I feel like I am fighting with a kidney stone!