Bob Peale
angeli ribelli
- Joined
- Sep 4, 1999
- Posts
- 10,535
In my search, my need to make sense of all of this and to attempt to suppress my need for vengeance, I answered the call for blood donations. This was not a cavalier decision; I have a rather odd condition that results in my body producing exactly enough blood to keep my body running – no more, no less. Any loss greater than two vials or so (the amount of an average blood test) could result in hospitalization.
But you know what? I have O+ blood and we have over 100 people in area hospitals (at last count) as a result of this shit and I rather go in for giving it then have someone die for needing it.
The scene at the collection center was unbelievable. People were everywhere. Many, when their offices were evacuated, went immediately to donate. In fact, the center was so overwhelmed that they actually sent people home that didn’t have O+/- initially because they simply didn’t have the capacity to store as much as was being offered.
And what was even more inspiring is that people ARGUED about being sent home. The wait was anywhere from 3 – 5 hours at a minimum, and some people had to park ½ a mile away and walk because they were so jammed. We were experiencing a shortage to begin with, and the collection service I donated at supplies blood to 11 hospitals in the area.
It was the most beautiful example of a community pulling together that I’d ever scene. Throughout the day supermarkets sent shipments of ice and juice and soda and crackers and cookies to nourish the volunteers, staff, and donors. Later, area fast food franchises (Wendy’s, Dominoes, Burger King) and restaurants sent platters and platters of hot meals for the same purpose. Sure it was chaotic, with the collection center slowly taking over more offices and suites in the medical building to set up impromptu collection stations, and many of the doctors and nurses and other medical staff doubled or tripled their shift to aid in the collection, but everybody seemed to have the same goal in mind.
And yes, I did pass out, but I had the good taste to wait until my pint was full.
But you know what? I have O+ blood and we have over 100 people in area hospitals (at last count) as a result of this shit and I rather go in for giving it then have someone die for needing it.
The scene at the collection center was unbelievable. People were everywhere. Many, when their offices were evacuated, went immediately to donate. In fact, the center was so overwhelmed that they actually sent people home that didn’t have O+/- initially because they simply didn’t have the capacity to store as much as was being offered.
And what was even more inspiring is that people ARGUED about being sent home. The wait was anywhere from 3 – 5 hours at a minimum, and some people had to park ½ a mile away and walk because they were so jammed. We were experiencing a shortage to begin with, and the collection service I donated at supplies blood to 11 hospitals in the area.
It was the most beautiful example of a community pulling together that I’d ever scene. Throughout the day supermarkets sent shipments of ice and juice and soda and crackers and cookies to nourish the volunteers, staff, and donors. Later, area fast food franchises (Wendy’s, Dominoes, Burger King) and restaurants sent platters and platters of hot meals for the same purpose. Sure it was chaotic, with the collection center slowly taking over more offices and suites in the medical building to set up impromptu collection stations, and many of the doctors and nurses and other medical staff doubled or tripled their shift to aid in the collection, but everybody seemed to have the same goal in mind.
And yes, I did pass out, but I had the good taste to wait until my pint was full.
