The DU Lounge

for 56 years (Dec. 1967 to Jan. 2024) the first 20 years or so was whole blood, the last 30+ were platelets and white blood cells.

When they were taking white blood cells, Would usually give 18 times a year (O neg btw with some kicker antigen)

I gave on Thanksgiving twice, Christmas Eve twice, Christmas Day and even once on New Years.

One time I got called at 3AM on a Sunday Morning. it was one of the nurses at the clinic. She identified herself and asked "How quick can you get here?" I said half an hour and she said "Come a running. There will be a cop at the for to park your car."

So I had a needle in my arm by 4AM and had a doctor pacing at the bottom of my chair. As quick as the bell went off the doctor grabbed the bag and went running out the door. The donation was for a new born.

Couple weeks later when I went for my regular donation, the secretary said "Oh yeah - we got this for you" and she gave me a gift basket with some nuts and candy bars. The basket had a little card that said "Our baby lived - Thanks" Boy did it taste good!

I got a couple of more stories. I am tearing up as I write this one. But one day I accidentally met a guy whose life was saved by my white cells.

I am damn proud of my blood donations.