Periodically Huzband and I go to the local Red Cross and donate blood and platelets. I will be honest with you. Donating platelets takes a lot longer than donating blood. It is also a lot more involved.

Here's the run down, after signing in and being pricked and temped and pressured you're taken to a chair that has a big machine next to it. That machine will take the blood drawn from you, spin it and split the platelets from the blood. However, you can opt to let them also take whole blood in addition to the platelets. In either case, two needles are put into your arms, one in each arm. A coagulant is first pumped into your body so that clotting is avoided. The coagulant can cause tingling. The process in total takes up to two hours as they withdraw the blood, spin it, and reinsert it back into your body. To keep blood flowing and constant pressure, you are given two soft balls or foam which you squeeze every 5-10 seconds, much like blood donations. That is the process. That is what we choose to put ourselves through to which you may ask, why?

Platelets, an essential and specific requirement for blood transfusions and the like are very much in demand. The time requirements and the possibility for discomfort drastically cut down on the amount of platelets donated, even in comparison to blood donation, which on it's own requires a strong and consistent donating force.

Huzband despises needles, yet his blood type (AB+) makes his platelets ultra precious as they can be used universally. It's a difficult decision sometimes, but it is important that we have the donations of platelets and blood. You never know who will need it. It is precious. You grow back the platelets within hours and the blood within days. A renewable resource from within can help out so much.

On the upbeat side of things. For the two hours we watch movies or cable television, the nurses will scratch your nose if it itches, the staff at the Red Cross will work with Huzband and I so we can sit next to each other and donate at the same time, you get a heated blanket as you recline and there are cookies and drinks and sometimes pizza waiting for you afterwards.

Walking out of there after donating is an excellent feeling. Besides being a bit more bouyant, I'm so proud of my donation.