Last Monday afternoon, I had an appointment to give whole blood. I first gave blood a long time ago when I was in benefits at S&C Electric Company and organized a blood drive. I have been a blood donor ever since. Before I give blood these days, I try to make sure my iron level is high enough for the donation. I take a couple iron pills and at breakfast Monday with friends from Chicago, I ordered steak and eggs–-figuring the steak would give me an iron boost as well. Delicious.

My donation site is at a Vitalant building on Whitney Ranch Drive in Henderson. Before I go, as usual, I complete a Health History Questionnaire with questions about my current sexual partners (ha!), recent travel, health status, medications, tattoo history (another laugh), etc. I answer and print my completed questionnaire and take it with me.

The woman at the donor site who took my questionnaire and other information informed me that I was making my 67th donation since 2004. Fine. Then she explained that “new rules” applied to me and because I was over 65 my “pint” donation will actually be slightly less than a pint. Why? I don’t know. Do younger people have more blood than me? Maybe. Vitalant also says 3% of eligible folks actually give blood and that is just enough.

To encourage donations, I learned I am eligible for a $5000 gift card. (I’ll let you know if I win.)

I must be an adult to give blood and I must weigh at least 110 pounds. (I think back and can’t remember when I weighed only 110 pounds.) My blood pressure is taken and I get a pin prick to test my iron. Both were acceptable. I was then taken to the large room with multiple lounge-type beds.

Incidentally, while I was waiting to donate, a handsome man was there, too, waiting with his dog labeled “service dog.” I see people with service dogs in lots of places these days. Hope the dog (a German Shepherd) enjoyed the outing.

So I gave my less-than-a-pint of blood, raised my arm in the air in a salute to non-bleeding, was given a few pieces of cotton to cover the place where the blood was taken and a bandage wrap in purple. I was instructed to wait 15 minutes before leaving. I am always told not to lift anything heavy for the next several hours (no problem) and to eat a hardy meal (again, no problem).

The waiting area (for the 15 minutes) has a table and chairs and a selection of water and snacks. I took one of both.

This last Monday, I noticed that three of the ladies who took blood were not petite. Maybe the snack table is too inviting?

On my way out, the lady who set me up for my next appointment was wearing a shirt that said in big letters “Super Donor.” Apparently that shirt was a give-away some time ago–-at a time in between my donations.

I like giving blood. It’s one of my all-too-rare good deeds. The people at Vitalant are nice and I am always thanked.

Next donation: May 5.