Bloodletting

[sylvar]

I gave blood today at the Methodist church. Apparently their 'method' involves walking right past the bloodmobile and into a building to sing songs about how nice it would be if people would occasionally do something that helps others. I wasn't there when the bloodmobile opened for donations, and I took my time afterward, and yet nobody else had donated before me and nobody else had come in by the time I left.

As I drove away, I asked a couple of Methodists walking from the parking lot toward the church if they'd please spread the word that I'd been the only donor so far, and after all, it's Lent. They looked at me kinda funny at that point; perhaps they surmised I wasn't one of them. Which makes me think that I should round up a bunch of agnostic and atheist people to get together and bum rush the bloodmobile at a yuppie church. I'd like to think that the clergy would take it as a challenge when they found out that godless heathens were saving more lives than their own flock...

And just to be clear, I'm a universalist (and, now that I've been exposed to the term, an apocatastasist) Christian, but I'm dismayed; my optimistic side hopes that everyone in that church gave blood on Good Friday and just isn't eligible to donate again.  My pragmatic side figures that it's time for some good old-fashioned shame to get churchies to open their hearts and veins.

Oh, and I've just requested In the Hands of a Happy God: The "No-Hellers" of Central Appalachia from iBorrow.  Sounded interesting.

Comments

[switchknitter.livejournal.com]

I wish I could donate blood. Unfortunately the drugs I'm on don't go over well with the bloodmobile people.

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Plus, it's just possible you've had sex with a man who has had sexual contact with another man. I hate that law. Seriously, what's the point if they're also screening the blood for any pathogens they're worried about?

[knobody.livejournal.com]

it's based on statistics and old ones at that. while it's probably not relevant these days, it was at the time it was mandated and the fda is slow to change. remember, our blood supply isn't completely safe. it takes time between infection and a positive antibody titer. that window could allow infected blood into the blood supply so the questions are there to further screen out those with higher risks. i'm not saying it's the best solution, but it's what has been chosen as most cost effective. if i ever need blood products, i'd be happier with more strict screening even if some healthy donors are turned away. and since only about 5% of eligible donors actually donate, there's room to improve without getting more lax on the screening procedure.

which reminds me, i'm off of deferment now. i guess i should find a half hour sans short people sometime soon.

[switchknitter.livejournal.com]

I KNOW I've sex with men who've had sex with other men. And I got pierced within the last two years...

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

So then don't worry about the meds.

I wonder if it'd make any difference if I signed an advance health care directive that said "Dudes, if I'm about to bleed out, I don't care who donated the blood, just use it..."

[haemony.livejournal.com]

This atheist is ready to giveth of the blood! :)

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

but I thought you were a Christian... sorry, that's probably WHY you're an atheist. ;)

Rock on! Go find some like-minded atheists and agnostics and seculars and plan a blood-in at some yuppie church near you. And let me know how it went.

[haemony.livejournal.com]

This is why I kept my name after my wedding. I'm very much in love with the irony of it. :D

[gardenwaltz.livejournal.com]

ahab's wife has a has an interesting segment on universalists and other early american religion. i highly recommend it, but you may want to also read the book about the whale ;).

and yes, i think the universalists get a good amount right, but i'm still not sure i'm willing to plant my flag in any camp or (to strain the metaphor) that there even is a campground.

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Flag, schmag. That metaphor's broken; it implies you can only believe one predefined set of things. You can put a "Jenn says Right On" sticker anywhere you find something that seems true or beautiful to you.

And I was forced to read that other book about the whale -- I might come back to it on my own eventually.

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

We usually give blood at a local church that gives away free barbeque for people who donate. They have great food, and it is a pleasant incentive. :)

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if there's a bloodmobile outside a movie theater, they're usually offering two free passes. I didn't see any of those on the website. Then again, I didn't do it for myself. What am I going to do with a too-small shirt and a couple of Christ-Fil-A coupons? I couldn't even try to get breakfast with 'em this morning.

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

While we don't give blood for the gifts/food, we do appreciate the lagniappe.

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that.

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

Quite alright. I was just clarifying. :D

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Well, I saw the colors you were flying and I thought you might be out for blood. :)

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

Bwah!

[tealfroglette.livejournal.com]

*grin* the too small tshirts you give to me or anna. :) The chick? well you go in and ask for the pickles! * love their pickles*

mmmmmmmmmmm pickles. it's what's keeping me from puking today.

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Oh, pardon me, I think I meant Ash Wednesday. Or I'm just out of practice.

[tealfroglette.livejournal.com]

honey, good friday was last year in april or march, whenever it was, the friday before easter. so it's unlikely they'd be unable to donate because it's too close... that was nearly a year ago.

More than likely they don't want to, which is sad.

I need soembody to drive me, i often pass out durnign blood donation. Civitan NEver called me again, which i hear is nigh impossible once one donates in g'ville they plague you until you don't have that phone number anymore. They never called me. So next time, want to drive up here to drive me? :)

Ribbit!

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Next time we're in the same town, I'd be happy to drive you to give blood.

[knobody.livejournal.com]

if i had donated last year at good friday i would only now be eligible to donate again for the first time (i think). i can't remember when the last time i donated was.

civitan does call me occasionally, but nearly as often as they could, so i guess they aren't as bad as they used to be. and i'm o+/cmv-, so they even like my flavor. when you are here next we can go together. i can drive well enough afterwards :).