They want my bloooood....
@allyoftherain (7208)
United States
May 14, 2012 2:39pm CST
The local blood-bank charity has been calling me again and again the past week trying to get me to come in for a donation. I'm not certain I want to go out and try in the next month. The last (and only) time I tried to give blood, they told me my iron was too low and they didn't want me to give blood. But because of the attempt, I've ended up on their calling list and their mailing list. I'd love to give blood, but I'm pretty certain my iron will be too low again. I don't want to take supplements because I'm already taking enough pills right now. Plus in exactly thirty days, I'll be going on Isotretinion (aka Accutane), which is one of their no-no drugs, and I'll be on it for 6 months. So if I want to give blood, I've got about a month to do it.
But they're mighty persistent. And slightly annoying in their persistence.
"I can book your donation a month in advance!" the lady at the blood bank tells me.
"I won't be able to give in a month. I'm going on Isotretinion." I answer.
"There's a center very close to you, only a few blocks away!" She tells me.
"I know." I reply. I only see it everyday.
"Did you know that when you give blood you are saving the lives of three people?" She asks.
"I know." I reply again. You people won't let me forget it!
My parents are regular donors and they also get calls asking for their blood every few months, pretty much as soon as they've passed the time limit between donations. I just think it's kind of ridiculous the way they constantly demand blood, especially since their screening process for giving blood is so strict.
Anybody out there give blood regularly? What do you do to keep your iron high? Should I try to give this month, regardless of the low-iron problem?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@jndlponti (2402)
• Philippines
15 May 12
I think donating blood would be a very brave thing to do. And heroic act.. I never tried donating blood or any of my family members.
I learned that green leafy vegetables could boost up iron level of your blood. Also bitter guord and spinach is a good vegetable for iron deficiency.
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
15 May 12
I'm getting some spinach today at the grocery store and I'm gong to eat some spinach everyday, and give in and take some kind of iron supplement. Hopefully in about a week I'll be able to give blood, and then I can give before I start taking Accutane. Thanks for the tips!
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
16 May 12
Ooh, I didn't know that. I've never seen the leaves of sweet potatoes in stores, but I'll search for them. Got my spinach today and took my first iron supplement. I'll try to get to bed early tonight and every night for the rest of the month. It's good for me anyway, right? 
@jndlponti (2402)
• Philippines
16 May 12
If it is also available in your place the leaf of sweet potato is also good iron supplement. And also avoid sleeping late because that will also affect the iron level of your blood.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
15 May 12
They don't like your blood? Aww... I think I'd almost feel insulted if they told me they didn't like my blood. That's kinda how I felt when I was told my iron was too low. My sister can't give blood either, she's a tiny thing and doesn't meet the minimum weight requirement.
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
15 May 12
It is beyond doubt that donating blood is solemn deed of greatness.While you give away your blood you are saving another life from the pangs of disease. It is good for all good minded people to engage in donating blood. what other thing could be comparable to this great deed of compassion and human kindness.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
15 May 12
Do you give blood on a regular basis then? Is your iron ever low? I've decided I'm going to eat leafy greens and take supplements for a week and hopefully my iron will be high enough for me to give blood before I go on Accutane and can't give for 7 months or so.
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
15 May 12
My sister is a one who uses to donate blood to the hospitals. At first she was really afraid to do it but her friends who donates blood have her a good support. So finally she had food it for the fist time.
Even still she do not have any lack of iron or other minerals. She is still strong and healthy as my sister.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
15 May 12
That's good. I'm not really afraid of the needles right now... though I might be when I get into the office and the possibility of having to fill up all those blood bags becomes real... I'm kind of more afraid of getting there, going through half the interview, having my iron be too low and it all being wasted time.
@rewardsinlife (1132)
• United States
14 May 12
Maybe they were able to figure out when they tested your iron last time that you have a rarer blood type and they would like you to donate more. If you really don't want to donate, just say I am not going to donate for a while because of medical reasons. They then know they can't take your blood and will hopefully get off your back for a while. Also, Next time don't give them your phone number ;)
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
15 May 12
They've already got it now. LOL I can't shut the horse back in the empty barn it seems. It probably wasn't the smartest idea, but at the time I was filling out all kinds of forms. It did occur to me at the time that they were probably be calling me, but for some reason I didn't think it would be too much of a bother.
They didn't take much of any blood for the iron test, so I don't think they know my blood type. I don't even know my blood type yet, but my Dad is O-neg, the most in-demand blood because it's a universally-compatible type... so they ALWAYS want his blood.
