WOW...
I got my 4-gallon pin today for giving...4 (FOUR) gallons of blood over the past few years. Now that's a lot of blood, since the average human body only carries around 1 and a half gallons (or about 5 -6 quarts.)
I started when a friend said he had given over 100 times already (he started VERY young) and I thought...I could do that! He's still giving, so I'll never catch up, I fear, but that's okay! If you do the math, 2 pints equal a quart. Four quarts equal a gallon, so that means I've given at least 32 times.
I'm also a very desirable donor. I'm O- (oh negative.) I can give blood to anyone. Plus, I'm known as a "baby quad" donor, which means my blood is the most desirable to give to a new born baby. They can accept all blood, provided it's the right type, but mine does not carry the CMV (cytomegalovirus) virus. From what I read, this is a common flu-like virus that's often found in the body, but rarely manifests itself; however, it's extremely undesirable to introduce, though a blood transfusion, in babies, who have no immune system yet. I could yet contact this virus, and then my blood would just be O-, but for now, I'm a doubly-wanted donor.
I can only give every 6 weeks, so if there is an emergency, and it's not the right time, I have to wait. The blood center usually calls me though when it's time. And somehow I have a 6th sense that also tells me when it's time. When I do go in, I "bleed out" quickly, so I can be in and out in about 15 minutes from the introductory testing (amount of iron in my blood, pulse, blood pressure.) Plus the fact that the phlebotomists (the blood takers) do this so often they are very good at hitting that vein, and not hurting (too much.)
Another added benefit is that I get a cholesterol check, every time I give. It's not totally accurate since I don't fast for 24 hours ahead of time, but it does have meaning, and I take it seriously.
If you're squeamish, this may not be for you, BUT you don't have to look at the bags of blood. I never see mine until the technician is gathering up all the equipment after it's over and even then, you can ignore it.
Lest I forget, you also get a snack and a drink on your way out. That's another incentive!!! Cookies!!!
I got my 4-gallon pin today for giving...4 (FOUR) gallons of blood over the past few years. Now that's a lot of blood, since the average human body only carries around 1 and a half gallons (or about 5 -6 quarts.)
I started when a friend said he had given over 100 times already (he started VERY young) and I thought...I could do that! He's still giving, so I'll never catch up, I fear, but that's okay! If you do the math, 2 pints equal a quart. Four quarts equal a gallon, so that means I've given at least 32 times.
I'm also a very desirable donor. I'm O- (oh negative.) I can give blood to anyone. Plus, I'm known as a "baby quad" donor, which means my blood is the most desirable to give to a new born baby. They can accept all blood, provided it's the right type, but mine does not carry the CMV (cytomegalovirus) virus. From what I read, this is a common flu-like virus that's often found in the body, but rarely manifests itself; however, it's extremely undesirable to introduce, though a blood transfusion, in babies, who have no immune system yet. I could yet contact this virus, and then my blood would just be O-, but for now, I'm a doubly-wanted donor.
I can only give every 6 weeks, so if there is an emergency, and it's not the right time, I have to wait. The blood center usually calls me though when it's time. And somehow I have a 6th sense that also tells me when it's time. When I do go in, I "bleed out" quickly, so I can be in and out in about 15 minutes from the introductory testing (amount of iron in my blood, pulse, blood pressure.) Plus the fact that the phlebotomists (the blood takers) do this so often they are very good at hitting that vein, and not hurting (too much.)
Another added benefit is that I get a cholesterol check, every time I give. It's not totally accurate since I don't fast for 24 hours ahead of time, but it does have meaning, and I take it seriously.
If you're squeamish, this may not be for you, BUT you don't have to look at the bags of blood. I never see mine until the technician is gathering up all the equipment after it's over and even then, you can ignore it.
Lest I forget, you also get a snack and a drink on your way out. That's another incentive!!! Cookies!!!
