After I so enthusiastically gave blood last time (and mostly because I apparently have a very useful blood type), the blood center wrote a few weeks ago to recruit me for apheresis (automated blood collection) to give platelets instead of just regular whole blood. It takes about 90 minutes and its a much more involved process (i don't want to gross you out by explaining it if you're squeemish) but doesn't feel too much different than your usual blood donation (though it takes significantly longer, so they give you headphones and your own tv) and actually doesn't leave you feeling as depleted as I usually do after giving blood (since really they only take part of your blood and give the rest back).
And now I have a tshirt that says: "Take your blood for a spin! Donate ABC"
Posted by Emily at May 24, 2006 09:35 PMHehehehe...I've given platelets before, but not in quite a while. My veins are so tiny that it's difficult. :(
You did a great thing. I did this once, but it's so hard to find veins in one arm much less two, that I have stayed with whole blood donations. I remember something about taking Tums during the procedure because of some weird feeling in one's mouth.
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