Have you donated blood before?

I had a horrible fear of needles and began giving blood just to overcome that fear. It worked. I donated whenever asked. And eventually I hit a 5gallon donation mark. I think I still have the plaque they gave me.

I also started doing and apheresis, which is for platelet donations. They have a needle in each arm; one arm they draw your blood and it passes through a machine that separates the blood into parts (platelets being removed) and the blood (less the platelets) are returned in your other arm. Doesn’t hurt. Sometimes people get a strange vibration feeling in their lips or metallic taste in mouth, but otherwise it’s a pretty uneventful but gracious donation/gift. I had to stop giving as my platelets were low. Haven’t donated in years. Not sure why. Maybe I’ll go back.

Thanks for the reminder.