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Blood, Oh Yeah. Kidney? Well, Depends How Much I Love You.

I love giving blood.  LOVE it.  Started doing it in college, and quickly learned that - aside from all the good, snuggly, warm-fuzzies that I get from doing something to help others - giving blood, quite simply, makes me high.

Oh yes, my friends.  Totally high as a kite.  I tend to have really low blood pressure, so maybe that has something to do with it (it certainly makes the whole process go slowly).  But fact is, when I give blood, I giggle for about 2 hours afterward.  I walk down the street laughing hysterically to myself - loud enough, even, to garner strange looks.

Easily the best example of instant karma I've ever experienced.

-Heather... off to look up local blood banks...
Posted by: tmeronek on 07/13/2007
related tip
Most of us have some spare blood or hair, or even part of an organ hanging around that we can probably live without. So don't sell your body - instead, donate spare parts to somebody who's in the shop.
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Laura  on July 13, 2007 at 04:23 AM 1
find out more about organ donation and even sign up ONLINE (no more DMV) to be an organ donor:: donatelife.net ** ONLY 1% of deaths are eligible to be a donors, so we need everyone to register*In the US alone, every day, 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant**
Carol  on July 13, 2007 at 06:47 AM 2
I am one of the people that needs an organ donation. I have kidney failure and am on dialysis. I am trying to get listed for a transplant. At the moment the waiting list is about 3 years but it could be up to 5 years. If more people would sign up for organ donation, the waiting list would move much faster. I only hope I can outlive the wait.
Lisa  on July 13, 2007 at 07:07 AM 3
I have been a registered donor for years, and frankly, I cannot imagine why someone would not be. It seems rather selfish to me. I think that if someone would be open to accepting an organ if they fell ill, they should also be open to donating one (or all) after they pass.
Laura (again)  on July 13, 2007 at 07:17 AM 4
Carol, our thoughts are with you. I became active with this cause - because frankly it just seemed so rational to me and it is the easiest gift, the gift of life. When I talk to others about it, they throw out random myths thinking they are facts. There needs to be a national dialogue about the registry, donation and transplantation and possibly the implementation of an opt-out rather than the current opt-in system.
Wayne  on July 13, 2007 at 08:16 AM 5
While I have been listed as a donor for over 20 years, I am at times leery. I wish there was more control over where your organs went and for what purposes. I would prefer to not donate to people who need new organs because of addiction problems. I know I will have no control over this but it is still a concern because someone that didn't have a choice in their bad organs might go without whereas someone with a destructive lifestyle will prosper. I have thought about pulling my donor registration just for this purpose. A personal ethical dilemna to be sure but it is there.
ANDREA  on July 13, 2007 at 08:34 AM 6
I am particularly alarmed to hear that all polycarbonate bottles are leaching bisphenols. They are no joke. I was under the impression that the new polycarbonate bottles at Whole Foods did not do this. Can you confirm? Thanks
Leigh  on July 13, 2007 at 09:03 AM 7
I have donated my hair twice to Locks of Love. It feels great. The dramatic change gets people to ask, then you get to tell your story and they think about it for themselves, or their kids. (Apparetly, it's mostly kids, which I think is interesting.) It's sort of cool to detach from what you think your should look like too. If I am willing to go pretty short, I can pull it off every 2 years...
Lindsey Holmes  on July 13, 2007 at 09:24 AM 8
For all you new moms out there.... donate mother's milk! There are countless critically ill and premature infants whose mother's are unable to provide them with the most crucial liquid for their development and growth...breastmilk. Moms with excess milk can donate, in which the milk will be pasteurized and fortified. Babies around the world will receive the final product, including orphaned infants in Africa. To learn more about becoming a donor, find a milk bank in your area!www.milkbanking.net Every ounce helps!
Jim Handy  on July 13, 2007 at 09:39 AM 9
I sometimes hear people remark about how courageous another is to donate an organ. For many of us it is not. But for those who think it is please read on. When a person makes that comment to me I usually follow-up with "Do you donate blood?" I often get a "no." Blood is the ONLY "organ" that can be given over and over and over again. So if organ donation is not for you, consider giving blood--that is a courageous act itself.
Kim  on July 13, 2007 at 10:23 AM 10
I gave blood once, but b/c of dizziness/low BP issues they told me they didn't want to see me again =(
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