Donating blood

[kaypeeoh]

My wife donated blood for much of her adult life. Now, after two bouts of cancer she's forever banned from donating. So she nags me into donating every couple months. At yesterday's donation the nurse gave me a card that says they'll be testing the blood for cholesterol. If its too high I might not be allowed to donate again.

Now I have to go run 15 miles while being a quart (or pint) low.

[lilli]

Hmmm. That sucks.

[ValerieL]

I haven't donated blood in a while, not since before I started exercising regularly. Does it affect your ability to exercise generally?

[kaypeeoh]

For running purposes, it makes me a bit slower. It feels like I'm missing high gear but it only lasts a week. Strange since it takes a month or more to replace the lost red blood cells. Although I didn't feel any different during yesterday's run. That might be because of the lowcarb business I'm getting used to running slower.

[erinleigh]

I think everyone should donate blood!!! Me being as young as I am never thought much about it till recently when we have the bridge collapse happen...I could donate every day if they'd let me!!!!!!

[molmerlin]

A couple times a year our local blood bank sends out their mobile blood mobile to my work. I usually try to donate. I get all nervous, but when it is over, I feel pretty good about myself, so you can't go wrong there

[kaypeeoh]

Each time I donate, every person in the room is 10-20 years older than me. I think the questions put younger people off. Also the rule about no recent tattoos, piercings, acupuncture and obviously no gay history. Plus no trips to Africa within several years, no accutane use, etc.