I had never given blood until 911, but I now try to give as often as I can. After our daughter-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia, she needed many transfusions. I made a commitment then to return the favor. I am also a platelet donor, which takes a little longer, but I can spare the time. Dick and I are also on the bone marrow registry. Christy received a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor, and out of 11,000,000, it was the only match. All she knows is, he was a 58 year old male that lived somewhere in the U.S. Once we become 60 we will no longer be eligible to be a marrow or stem cell donor, but nothing would make me happier than to get a call before then saying that I am someone's perfect match. I know many, many of you already do this, but if you haven't, it's a very worthwhile thing to do. My bucket list is long, and has some kinda goofy things on it, but not this one. I have checked it off.

Well said Diane… I join you in your recommendation that we be blood donors if we can.  A great item to have on your Bucket List!  It is a wonderful and noble thing to do, and helps to save lives in the process!  It doesn’t hurt, and our Great Creator replaces the blood in the donor’s body in a very short time.  What a deal!  All it takes is a willing heart and a little time.  In the late seventies, I had some friends that were nurses for the American Red Cross here in Atlanta.  I had never donated blood before and they encouraged me to do so.  I didn’t even know my blood type and discovered that I am B negative which is pretty rare, less than 2% of the population.  So I became a regular donor and have been ever since.  A few years ago, the Red Cross talked me into being a platelet donor and I have done that since then.  For those not familiar with it, they draw your blood, remove platelet components from it and then return the blood to your body.  They are able to use the platelets to help leukemia patients and others as well.  Since I have B negative blood, they call me regularly to come in as often as I can.  They always ask me to do a “triple” platelet donation which takes longer, but helps more patients.  I am thankful that I can give, and thankful that I myself have never needed a blood transfusion. But if I ever do, I just pray that there are some willing donors out there with B negative blood.  If God has blessed you with good health, and you are able to give blood, then I join Diane in encouraging you to be a donor.  You will be blessed!  It is truly the gift of life.

By the way, Diane… how does one go about getting on the bone marrow registry?     

Don, it was so easy to register as a marrow donor. When we went to give blood one time, they swabbed the inside of our cheeks with a cotton swab, and that was it. It's amazing how much can be determined from just a few skin cells on a Q Tip! I just told them that we wanted to register. There was a little paper work, and there was a 20$ fee. Oh, I'm a negative person too! But I am A negative. 

Ditto on donating blood.  Prior to my cancer surgery I had to bank two pints, just in case.  Well, in case happened and I needed it back.  Because of the cancer I couldn't donate for years and now I would hate to transmit this other thing I've got going.  But I do have a bit of a yarn about one of my first donations.  Things did not go well with the needle placement and I ended up with a LOT of bleeding under the skin.  No pain, but my arm from the elbow down was black, brown and blue.  That night I was attending a party with a lot of people I had never met.  I should mention this was in the early '70's.  One individual there began bragging about his drug expermentation.  He had done MJ, mushrooms, and even became enlightened on LSD.  I revealed my discolored forearm and said, "I went straight to the hard stuff."  His jaw dropped to the floor and no further discussions of drugs were uttered.  Those that knew me had a good laugh and those that didn't avoided me like the plague. 

An added note...  If you've never donated blood before, be prepared to answer a few questions, including a few about your sex life... at least at the American Red Cross.  They are very, very protective of the nation's blood supply, as they should be.  They have to make sure that potential donors are not a risk for carrying HIV and the AIDS virus.     

Yes, Donald, this is true. When I answered those questions, I had everybody blushing and telling me I should write a book! (This is totally not true, but I cannot pass up a chance to be ridiculous. In reality, the lady yawned repeatedly) But, to your point, because of HIV awareness, they are very, very careful with our blood supply.

OK, everybody, I have completely screwed up! Obviously Dick was logged in under his name, and I did not know it! I thought I was logged in! Anyway, just so you know, this is Diane who has posted the last few items here although it has Dick's picture. I think I am in trouble. Dennis, can one spouse sue another for defamation of character?

Well, I started off this Monday with an early morning appointment at the American Red Cross to donate blood platelets.  A good way to kick off the week.  For those considering donating blood, they usually have their greatest need around very busy holidays and long weekends... like the upcoming 4th of July weekend, when folks are out traveling a lot.   So that would be an excellent time to stop in a few days before and give.  Good night everybody.

Hip Hip Hooray, Don! I wish the person who receives your platelets could know what a wonderful person their donor is. 

Well, Cousin Diane... that's such  a very nice thing for you to say.  Must be that "Eberhart" blood, you know.

Early this morning I had another appointment at the American Red Cross to donate blood platelets.  I was still a bit sleepy as the young female technician went through the routine questions on my health history and sex life.  Then I heard a question that I had never heard before!  “What was your BIRTH GENDER?”  Suddenly, I was awake!  “Say what?”  Yes, I heard her correctly… they wanted to be sure that I was “Donald” when I was born, and not “Donna”.  I assured them that I was a MALE when I was born.  But that was not the end of the matter.  Next question… “Are you STILL a male as you donate blood today?  Well… let me think about that one… I guess my beard was not a clue and they thought that I might be “the Bearded Lady” from the circus.  I guess I could have been a real smart a__, but I know they have to ask the questions that people from on high ask them to ask.  So I gave them a straight answer to assure them that I still had the same body parts I had in 1950… just 59 years older.  I’m just relieved that they didn’t ask for proof.   So… if you plan to donate blood in the near future, you may have to fess up if you have had a sex change operation.  Be warned.         

 Don, I am scheduled to donate Feb. 1, and I am so glad you warned me. I can totally see my misunderstanding and saying something ridiculous. I will be prepared!!