Can you tell me about a time when you eat a whole cookie and not feel guilty? or get a whole pint of ice-cream and still not feel guilty? or the day when you can come back a little early even though there is tons of work pending and still, yes still, not feel guilty? And yes, all these events happen on the same day! I will tell you when: the day you donate blood. It’s a guilt-free day for everything.
Yes, you got it. I donated blood today, after six months I might add and got a voucher to buy a pint of ice-cream while I was offered free cookie and orange juice at the blood mobile. The downside of donating blood, you ask? The nausea (at least in my case) so you don’t enjoy all the cookies, the ice-creams and the time off. How ironic is that? Just my life…
(Image from: http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu/press/releases/2008_09_BloodMobileLaunch.html)
P.S.: Just FYI – Quite a few people have asked me about how it feels to donate blood and how much it hurts etc. Honestly, despite all the nausea and poking (my veins are hard to find so I get poked a bit more and/or have to spend more than usual time than other people), it feels great to donate blood. It doesn’t hurt. Honestly. So if you have been thinking about donating blood, it’s time that you act on it.
The euphoria after a noble deed!!
ReplyDeleteCool! :)
Hmm...I've never donated blood because I'm too chicken. I hate even getting blood tests done when I have to! But good on you for doing it!
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just say, I definitely can eat a whole cookie without feeling guilty and I can leave a number of tasks pending without feeling guilty (might feel stressed though!). Also, don't know how much a pint is but bet I wouldn't feel guilty there either. And I wouldn't have to donate blood to not feel guilty :P
Yes yes, guilt free, I agree. I haven't donated in years, but long ago when I did do it, I enjoyed the guilt free days :D
ReplyDeleteThe euphoria followed by the nausea = My life. :)
ReplyDeleteA pint is actually a measure for liquids but the voucher said a pint for a pint. So as I gave a pint (=12 oz or ~0.5 liter) of blood, I get a pint (=12 oz or ~340 gm) of Baskin-Robins ice-cream.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's so cool. I didn't use to feel guilty but ever since I gained 20 lbs (~ 10 kg) weight while learning to bake, I have been a bit conscious about eating desserts. Don't want to gain anymore weight as I already have borderline high cholesterol level. Don't want to add to it by putting on more weight! :)
I also donated after six months. I got so wrapped up with my life that I almost forgot about it till I saw the bloodmobile.. It's a great feeling especially when flyers around said "Donate Life" instead of "Donate Blood"!
ReplyDeleteI have a question. Each time I have tried donating blood, they ask when was the last time I visited India. If it is within 3 yrs (which it invariably is), they say I am not eligible to donate blood. Do you not face the same issue?
ReplyDeleteThats a gr8 thing....not many do, even i did it only once last year n march this year.....hope i could keep up regular donations n wish u could do so too.......
ReplyDelete3 years? My form said an year and since I haven't been to India since 2007, I was eligible. I know the problem with the travel history. I have been donating every 3 months since 2008.
ReplyDeleteI have been donating every 3 months since 2008 and plan to do it as long as I am not traveling to India!
ReplyDelete