I’m a super hero! No really – see the comic book-esque photo of me with an eye mask and the words ‘Super Donor’ blazoned across my stomach and handbag?
I started donating blood when I was around 18 and, other than at times when I wasn’t allowed to donate (two separate six month waits after getting tattoos, and a few four month breaks after visiting various countries that were classed as malarial risks) I’ve been doing it fairly regularly ever since. About three months ago, I made the switch to plasma. Plasma is a highly sort-after commodity as it has an awfully long shelf life (up to 12 months), and is extremely versatile, meaning it can be used to treat multiple potentially life-threatening conditions.
Plasma donation isn’t for everyone – it involves having the needle in your arm for a lot longer for a start, and having icy cold saline delivered right into your veins – not to mention the fact that you get to watch the yellow stuff get separated from the red stuff… But, being an A-positive blooded chicken, which is a fairly common blood-type, it absolutely floats my boat that I can hook myself up to a machine every fortnight and help to save lives, and for me, that makes it totally worth it.
But I’m not the only one – the effervescent Carly, aka Lady Smaggle, happened to be sporting a white bandage yesterday that matched mine perfectly! When I found out we were both Super Donors, who both donated on the same day no less, I couldn’t stop myself from pinning her down and slapping her bandaged elbow until she agreed to let me ask her a few questions about her blood letting experiences!
1. How long have you been donating blood for, and what made you start?
I’ve been donating for almost two years, and I started because a very dear friend of mine was in a car accident when she was 8 years old and suffered major blood loss. She’s more than fine now (except for a mad scar across her stomach) and for her birthday that year she asked that all her friends make a blood donation. Now on THAT night, when we were literally all hooked up getting drained, another friend of ours got hit by a truck on his bike and had to go to hospital where he stayed for three months with a severe knee injury. I’m a little superstitious and I feel like karma was all ‘See bitch! DONATIONS SAVE LIVES!’. Because they totally do.
2. Have you ever had a bad experience either during, or as a result of a blood donation?
Not really. Sometimes I’ve gone to donate and my iron levels haven’t been high enough so I’ve had to leave. I donated yesterday and got utterly pummelled because I have veins that look awesome but are really hard to penetrate, resulting in lots of jabbing. Generally it’s been quite pleasant. Especially the icy cold strawberry milk and mini Mars Bars that follow.
3. (if so) Did you consider not going back after that?
Nope. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s quick and the staff are so grateful. It just makes me feel tops.
4. (so, unless you’re a bit of a True Blood fan, this is totally just going to sound weird!) During a donation, have you ever secretly hoped that Eric or Bill would come around the corner wanting to get high on your delectable better-than-fairy-blood?
I’d probably rather it was Edward Cullen to be honest.
5. Has there ever been a time when you have wanted to donate and couldn’t? If it wasn’t something terribly personal, what was it that stopped you, and how long did it take you to get back in the chair?
As I mentioned earlier I couldn’t donate once because my iron levels were too low. God bless the nurse, she squeezed every ounce of blood from my poor finger but we couldn’t get it any higher. If there’s any possible way you can donate without breaking the rules, they’ll make sure you can. She told me to eat red meat for a week or two and come back. Worked like a charm.
6. Have you ever thought about how you might secretly be able to smuggle one of those awesome hydraulic chairs home for your lounge room?
Man, they are COMFORTABLE! My only complaint is that you’re trapped and can’t get down until the nurse lets you down. I got stuck up there for 20 minutes following a donation one day because they were so busy.
7. If someone was debating whether or not to donate, what would you tell them?
Absolutely do it if you can. There are so many people who want to donate (homosexuals, some immigrants, people with tattoos and piercings) that can’t. So if you can, you should. 1 in 3 people will need a donation in their life and only 1 in 30 donate. Also, you find out your blood type and it might be really rare and magical. Which is awesome.
If you want to read more from Carly on this topic, she also wrote about donating blood and saving lives today. Head on over to the awesomeness that is Smaggle, have a read, and compliment her on her bandages!
If you’re in Australia and want to find out more about donating blood, plasma, or platelets, go to the Blood Service’s web site – it’s choc-full of information and you can even book yourself an appointment online to become a Super Donor like me and Carly!
