I gave blood today!

[ceebeegee]

And they actually accepted me, which is a miracle because after getting deferred for 3 4 umpteen times, I stopped, because it was so annoying to make the appointment, walk over to the donor center and go through all the rigamarole only to be denied. They would defer me for three reasons--my weight (which is ridiculous, I'm not underweight, I'm just small, I have a small frame and therefore weigh less but I'm probably healthier and in better shape than most of their donors, thanks to the gym), my blood count (frequently too low) and my blood pressure (ditto). I would combat these setbacks in several ways--before donating, I would eat lots of iron rich and salty foods, and I would wear heavy clothes, both to add weight and to look heavier. It worked fine as long as they just asked me how much I weighed--but the last time I went, the screener eyed me suspiciously and said "Can you step on the scale, please?" The jig was UP! Anyway, I stopped for awhile after that. It was frustrating because I actually enjoy giving blood--I am not afraid of needles, and they really need the blood, especially mine (O+).

But this week, they've had a blood drive in the concourse of Rock Plaza, and if you gave blood you got a free mug and a long-stemmed rose and a gift certificate for Ben & Jerry's. Woo hoo! Free ice cream! So I thought I'd try it again, and they took me! (They just asked me my weight, and they believed me. No scale.) It did take me awhile to fill up the bag, because of my BP, but still--I got a free mug, and free ice cream!!!! *does dance of free Ben & Jerry's*