A Little Charity

 

Giving Blood

 

Don’t look because it will over shortly unless they need to search for another target. Taking a deep breath helps as at the right moment I feel the familiar sting, however I dare not look until I get another sensation that provides respite. After a moment, my arm feels several points of warmth wrapped around it and I can relax. I look down to see a tube full of dark liquid attached to the beige bandage that keeps the needle in place. One bag is all I’m prepared for and it won’t take forever to be filled. The steady open and closing of my hand allows for improved flow on top of all the water I drank the previous day. I easily lose track of time listening to music and the extraction is complete in around five minutes, but something reminds that I forget to do something. Instead of the needle’s exit causing pain, it’s the quick removal of the tape that makes my eyes water. Good thing that my time comes with enough points to buy something nice.

In case I lost you, this was about my latest experience giving blood. This is something I do every two months as that’s the amount of time for the body to recover. I’ve never fainted or felt in the hours after slightly weak as I’ve taken at the steps to ensure an easy experience. Plenty of fluids and a good meal afterwards keeps the feelings of fatigue away and this helps because in order to get the most rewards, I have to drive far, but this puts me near places with different food that keeps you awake with every bite. At least I can say that giving blood had another perk in the form of five negative COVID tests as a way of thanks for saving lives.