Transylvania 6-5000

"You wouldn't hit a bat with glasses, would you?"

 Bugs Bunny in Transylvania 6-5000

Today, I donated blood for the first time in over 20 years.  Our church was having a blood drive along with a craft fair, bake sale, and ministry fair.

I ate a late breakfast, but didn't drink much water before I donated.  Mistake #1.

I felt fine while donating (yay!) and felt fine afterward.  The donation paperwork stated to drink a lot of fluids following donation.  Mistake #2.

...and eat a good meal following...Mistake #3. Yeah, this isn't looking real good for the rest of the day.

I started feeling light-headed about an hour later.  By the time the event at the church was over, I was a very tired, light-headed mess.  Jimmy was driving (thank goodness), and we went by Chick-Fil-A then home to eat a late lunch.  After eating, I took a 2 hour nap.

After resting, I thought I was feeling better...until I stood up.  Not so good...

I started thinking back over the day and realized my mistakes.  The "Instructions After Donating Blood" section of the paperwork are NOT suggestions.  I will remember that next time I donate.

Donating blood helps so many people!  The Red Cross website states:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 70,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

If you are able to donate blood, please do.  You just may save someone's life!

Still not feeling 100%, but I am drinking a lot of water!