Yesterday, I ran errands. And one of those errands was stopping by my local pet store to pick up some treats for Lucy the Trouble Puggle. When I pulled into the parking lot the only space available was next to one of those giant blood donation buses. Luckily, when I got out of the car the lady standing out front was busy on her phone so I was able to walk on by.
But leaving the pet store was something totally different. The volunteer lady immediately tried to strike up a conversation with me as soon as I was about 50 feet from my car. {CRAP!}
It was cold, and I didn’t want to be rude, so I stopped to listen to her spiel. The next thing I know, I’m wearing a I ♥ donating blood t-shirt and handing over my driver’s licence and filling out medical forms.
Have you ever given blood before? This was my first attempt, and let me tell you Bob, it was actually kind of cool. Maybe I’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years but did you know they make little temperature strips that fit under your tongue? How did I not know this?
Anywho, after the Q&A the nurse took a sample of my blood to check my iron, I passed with a score of 13.3 {whatever that means}. Cool, I’m going to do something good here I thought to myself, I’ll be helping someone by giving them my blood, and, as a bonus, I’ll get some juice and a free cookie. What more could someone want on a typically Thursday afternoon?
Then, she took my blood pressure.
And then I was booted out of the blood bus.
Apparently you can’t give blood if you have low blood pressure. What.a.rip.off. I had invested a good 20 minutes sitting on a bus and now they didn’t want my blood. I even volunteered to run around the bus a few times to get my heartbeat up a bit. But the nurse lady wouldn’t let me.
I felt like a total failure.
I even tried to give my free I ♥ donating blood shirt back but the lady wouldn’t take it. Instead she just told me to come back next month and try again.
Hmm.
Any suggestions?
~Mavis
Madam Chow says
Be careful of the treats you give Lucy. Some have been linked to recent dog deaths and illness. Common factor is ingredient(s) from China. See:
http://tinyurl.com/pfwtgvg
http://tinyurl.com/786an4o
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the info Madam Chow. Luckily the pet store I shop at refuses to sell any dog food or dog treats {food wise} that come from China.
Ashley says
Winner of the most unusual blog post title ever…..lol.
I used to give blood in HS and they’d run my iron and blood pressure a couple times to get a reading that was acceptable. One time I had to practically be tipped upside down to keep from passing out and then I was dizzy all day. So it’s probably best they didn’t let you give blood and drive home since you have lowish blood pressure and iron. Do you get dizzy a lot? My bp is usually 90/60 and my iron is at 12 (I take iron and prenatals since I’m pregnant), so I tend to be a bit tipsy.
Madam Chow says
You could try to increase your salt intake, but you may be stuck with it. Mu HH’s BP is low, but not as low as yours. His resting heart rate is 38-42. which freaked the nurse out so much she called a doctor. He’s a runner, so that plus genetics explains it.
Jenifer says
Funny, I usually have the low iron issue when I donate.
Maybe speed walk around the parking lot prior to going to the bus?
Think about factory farming and people throwing away perfectly good food for no reason (to get a little upset).
Otherwise, just keep trying, blood is always in need, the cookies afterwards are pretty delicious and you are helping to save a life (FOR FREE!)
Kathy says
I cannot give blood because I spent time in the UK in 1992 during the mad cow disease epidemic. Go figure!
Mavis Butterfield says
1992? Holy cow! That was 21 years ago. Surely you don’t still have the same blood in you.
Laura says
Talk to your doctor. Don’t try to raise it on your own by changing your dietary habits. Low blood pressure can be a health risk, just as high blood pressure is.
Most of my family can’t give blood because we take different medications.
Chris C. says
Good for you for at least trying! I was told never, ever to come back to donate again after passing out and clonking my head for the second time after donating. I’m a sneaky fainter — not scared of needles, seem totally fine, and then all of a sudden when they’ve cleared me to go, bam! 🙂
CathyB says
I’m a sneaky fainter too. And I understand, as I have fainted at times when I not even think I was anxious (but always medical in nature). Now I am anxious in most medical situations – but only because I am afraid I will faint! Anyway, I have been doing some research lately and there is a contingent out there starting to think that there are some people whose bodies have a physiological reaction to things like giving blood and it causes them to have a sudden drop in blood pressure leading to fainting. It often occurs after the event. There is a lot about it that they don’t understand and are just beginning to investigate.
Jess says
Blood donation is very near & dear to me. My daughter was born via emergency c-section due to an umbilical hemorrhage and had to have 4 blood transfusions to thrive. I donate religiously ever 56 days. However, my husband can’t donate AT ALL b/c each time he’s tried, the needle has blown his veins. He has very delicate veins. But he advertises for my company’s blood drives and talks to all of his co-workers about donating blood. So while he can’t physically give his blood, he talks others out of theirs! 🙂
My point is – even if you can’t give your’s promote local blood drives. Each unit donated can help 3 individuals in need. Thanks for trying, without people like you (and all the other loving people who donate) my daughter wouldn’t be here today, 7 years later!!
Donald says
You could be too relaxed. Gardening has made you too easy going. A little more stress during the holidays may take care of it for you.
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha!
Sheila M. says
There was the time I donated blood in high school…..on game day. My basketball coach, and also the Health teacher, wasn’t impressed. I’ve donated platelets before too, but I’ll remember to bring my own movie next time 😉
Wendy Phelps says
Mavis, your blood pressure is a lot low, not a little but a lot, it should be about 120/80 go and see your doctor to have him take it and advise you, you may have a medical issue, be safe. Best Wishes Wendy
Emily says
I’m a blood donor reject too. I passed out at the cookie table last time and they suggested I not donate anymore. You could always volunteer to help next time and of course wear your T-shirt to raise awareness. Maybe you’ll inspire someone to donate in your place.
Heather says
I get booted every time I try to donate due to low BP. Sometimes there may be an underlying health issue, but some people just run low. You can increase your water and salt intake to raise BP. I am currently on a high sodium diet because mine has been running about 80/60 on a great day, but usually scary low 70/40.
leal says
I was told one time to eat popcorn the night before giving blood. Of course, you would need to know well in advance that you are going to try to give blood. The first time I gave blood, the blood flow stopped about 2/3 of the way through. They thought my blood had clotted and clogged the needle. Wasn’t that – my blood pressure dropped to the point that it was barely pumping blood at all. Needless to say, I was immediately taken off the needle and had to have an EMT check me out. That must have been a fluke because I have given over 10 gallons of blood since and have had no problems.
Amy says
Mavis: that ‘low’ BP is probably normal for YOU because you’re a runner. Your heart is conditioned enough that it doesn’t need to exert as much force to pump your blood. (Your heart rate is probably on the lower side also.) Good luck with trying to donate, but I highly suspect that’s a normal reading for you and you’re likely to continue getting readings in that range.
Eva W says
Athlete equals low blood blood pressure… tell them you run!
Shelley van Erp says
Try a work out and plenty of fluids the day before and of the donation. The work out might raise it but without plenty of fluids you will not have a full pint to give. Trick worked for me when mine was 60/90.
Ann says
Thank you for trying (even if you would have preferred to sneak by.). Please don’t give up after just one try. I get rejected every one on a while for low iron, but I have also successfully donated over 40 times! Get your blood pressure checked (in case it is unusual for you) and try again in a month. If low bp is normal for you, then -like someone else said- you can still help on other ways like encouraging others to donate. 🙂
Amanda says
Your iron that they check is actually your hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is what transports oxygen to your cells. A 13.3 is great! Just goes to show you are not anemic.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Amanda, I had no idea what that number meant! 🙂
LaToya says
I love giving blood. Used to. For the cookies. Ok, and to help people too. Then I got cancer, and now they won’t take my blood anymore. Whatever, I can buy my own dang cookies! — ha! Try again, it’s such an important thing to do. You can even have your blood go in the bank to help someone. My dad was going through blood transfusions across the country and my blood donation would go to him – not directly, but he wouldn’t get charged for it or something like that. Been a while. But keep trying.
Michelle says
Don’t feel bad…I haven’t been able to donate blood the last three times I tried…Iron poor blood. 🙁 So now I don’t even try… At least you got a t-shirt!!
Beth says
I work for the state and we get 4.0 hours leave for donating blood so h% yeah I will give blood ;0 But really I do feel good knowing I’ve helped someone. I do struggle with low iron often so I have to eat iron rich a few weeks before and after. Good story and I agree with the guy above that says you’re not stressed enough 🙂 haha.
stacy says
The one and only time I gave blood was about 30 years ago. I stood up and passed out. Fortunately, a friend caught me before I hit the floor. I have tried to gibe since then but I’m slightly anemic…so they won’t take it.