Are you my type?
Do you know your blood type? Are you afraid to give?
For me, in 2001, the answers were “no” and “Yes!” respectively. The year also included a significant life-milestone, my 40th birthday.
As the year began, I considered several possible milestone-events; among them, “I’m going to finally overcome my fear of needles and give my first blood donation” and “I’m going to run my first marathon”.
With a September birthday, I was given a generous amount a time to either prepare for or procrastinate on the blood donation, and the marathon I selected was in October. I was training aggressively for the marathon while I pondered the blood donation.
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How does one become accountable to their goals? Tell a friend! I made it known to my friend, Rosemarie, that I was going to give. She also kept me true to training for my marathon goal.
In June, knowing that I was only delaying the inevitable, Rosemarie asked me accompany her to a company-sponsored blood donation day. With anxiety, trepidation, and some lightheadedness, I gave my first pint of blood. The Red Cross staff were excellent — I made sure they knew it was my first time — and I avoided a feared fainting spell.
By the time I was eligible for my second donation in September, my 40th birthday was approaching. The events of September 11, 2001, put a damper on my birthday celebration, but my 2nd successful blood donation suddenly had more meaning than the first. It seemed that anyone eligible to donate came out to give.
My marathon plan was abandoned due to plantar fasciitis, and I’ve yet to complete more than a couple of half-marathons since. I continued to donate blood, however.
Today, I donated; my 72nd donation. 72 pints! That’s 9 gallons!
I’m A-positive, by the way. Are you my type? If you don’t know, go find out! Please consider making a donation today!
