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I have been a blood and platelet donor for the last 25 years. I began as a blood donor at work in the late 80's. It only took a few minutes and we got to take time off work, with pay! My father was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent chemotherapy in 1992. That's when I learned about platelet donation. I never got the opportunity to donate for him but I thought becoming a platelet donor would be a fitting tribute to a man who always had time to help out others.
When I attended the recognition breakfast in October 2010 for my 50th donation I made a commitment to become a monthly platelet donor and was able to stick to it until January of this year when I started nursing school. I haven't been able to continue with monthly donations but donate when I can and will resume monthly donations after I graduate next May.
I enjoy donating for several reasons. Of course the opportunity to help those in need of platelets is at the top of the list but it's a win-win because it makes me slow down for a couple of hours. I watch an ENTIRE movie or read. And bless you Keebler for donating cookies, they're yummy!
So that's how I roll. If you're thinking about donating do what my dad used to say WAY before Nike, "Quit talking about it and just do it!"
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I have been giving blood for many years now, but it never hit home so hard as when my mom got blood after surgery back in November 2012. I just want to personally thank every good-hearted donor who takes the time & the stick (!?) to help someone who needs what money cannot buy. God bless you every one!
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I have given over 100 pints of blood. I have been donating for many years. One time they told me they give my blood to children so I am a regular donor unless I've been sick or am sick. My wife had 14 transfusions in the fall of 2002 and I feel like I was paying you back the blood used for her transfusions. I usually give at the Gainesville Donor Center or Cleveland First Baptist Church but I drove to my grandson's school in Woodstock, ga. (95 miles) a couple of weeks ago to give because he asked me to and I could. Therefore, I cannot come in between May 23 to June 30 to be eligible for the prizes you are giving. If I was eligible to give, I'd be there.
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I started donating when I was 16, at the end of my junior year of high school. I felt compelled to donate because one of my teachers at school was in great need of donations and the blood drive was in honor of her. I also have known many others in my hometown that have benefited from the help of donations from people like me. I even donated blood right before my senior prom, and had a huge yellow bruise on most of my arm. I definitely don't regret it though. I try to donate whenever possible, and don't plan on stopping until I am completely unable.
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I donated just recently and it was pretty good! Very nice to do something good for others. I will be back in 64 days when I am eligible.
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Years ago I attempted to donate blood but was unable to due to low iron levels. I am ashamed to say, but I was pleased with that because I do hate needles, and this gave me a good excuse to not donate. It was Christmas time a few years ago and they were having a blood drive where I work. I was feeling extremely grateful for all of the blessings in my life and decided to try again....as a way of giving back. My iron levels were great and I continued to donate. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer 19 years ago. Almost 10 years to the day, she found out there had been metastasis to the liver. We were blessed to have her an additional 9 years. Towards the end of her life, she was in need of platelets. Around the time she became a platelet recipient, I received a letter from the Red Cross stating that during a routine check, they found that I would be a good candidate to donate platelets. Since my sister lived in Texas, it was geographically impossible for me to directly donate to her, so I started to donate to replace what she was using. Since her passing, I continue to donate in her honor.
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I am a CMV negative donor and like knowing my blood can go to help newborn babies.
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March 2012 my mother needed 4 pints of blood. Thanks to people that donated prior to this saved her life. I vowed that I will repay the 4 pints back, plus pay it forward for the next person that will need blood. Donation is the easy part.
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I began donating blood several years ago at a time when my mother needed to bank blood for an upcoming hip replacement surgery. As the only exact match in our immediate family I donated two units as a directed donor for use, if needed, during and after the surgery. I did this same thing two years later when she had the other hip replaced. Both times the blood was used in her recovery and having it available was a blessing. Since then I have continued to donate on a regular basis and feel great about doing so. The thank you cards sent out indicating where the donated unit was sent and used is the best incentive I've seen to continue donating regularly as it really connects me as a donor with the recipient and illustrates the benefits of donating.
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i donor when i was 16 yars old at my high school blood drive. it was my first time donoting, i was so scare, but then i wasnt. when i thought about how many lifes i would save., and by friday im gonna donat agin and im happy about it.
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