So anyway, I got up like I always do, at 5 AM feeling sleep deprived and aching to go back to bed. And my morning routine followed soon after. It's a good day when you know you're about to help people, and be lighter.
Red Cross is not part of the route when I take the jeepney to go to school. So, I had to go another way to save money and time. And so I got there, ready to go through all the natural processes of bloodletting: answer a quick interview form, hate the lancet prick, go through a quick physical exam, and be on my way to the bus where they would bleed me.
The interview form had all the natural things. It stated to check on the things that are applicable to you, at the present time. First question was if I was feeling okay today. I felt very dandy today, I would have placed if that had a special tick for that. And the rest was history. I got to the last check box stating that I believe that my blood is safe for transfusion. And I went ahead and checked that too.
| Just dandy. |
A red cross employee came by and asked if we could just run through my answers and verify everything. I obliged.
RCE: Feeling well today? -- Yep!
RCE: Taken alcohol within the last 12 hours? -- Nope!
RCE: Will operate heavy machinery after donation? -- Don't count on it, Missy!
RCE: Have had a tooth extraction? -- Yep, about a month ago!
I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid you're unable to donate.
My heart sank. "Why?" I asked.
RCE: We have a new policy stating that if you've had a tooth extraction then you are unqualified to donate blood for at least a year after extraction.
But it says tooth extraction 72 hours before!
RCE: I'm really sorry, sir.
I was really hoping she was just kidding. I thought that this couldn't be possibly happening to me. If I hadn't gotten that tooth out, it would have been hell for me. I couldn't even go to sleep the night before I had the thing removed.
A fury lit up inside me. I was, at this point, very angry. I was cursing, low enough to not cause a scene, but enough for her to hear me. This was the only thing I could do. It was a for a good cause, surely this person could not deny me this!
So, I bargained. I asked her if they could make an exception. I told her that it said in the form only 72 hours before. I had answered truthfully. I'm supposed to give blood today, I was supposed to be a galloner! Just sitting right across me, she asked a colleague. And the other employee bluntly said, "No. One year."
I was crushed. And I walked out of there pretty upset, still cursing. Instead of going to school feeling good about myself, I ended up being pissed. And we still had a test to take, and I had yet to study. I had half a mind to tell one of my friends about what happened to me today, but not really tell them myself. Instead opting for them to ask due to my moody demeanor. Petty, I know.
The test went by, and a friend of mine was busy doing something. I approximated myself near her, and sighed. And being a good friend, she asked what was wrong. Without thinking, I said I was okay. A stupid thing to say when you want to talk to someone about something. She didn't ask again, but I told her anyway.
The test went by, and a friend of mine was busy doing something. I approximated myself near her, and sighed. And being a good friend, she asked what was wrong. Without thinking, I said I was okay. A stupid thing to say when you want to talk to someone about something. She didn't ask again, but I told her anyway.
And after all the denial and the anger passed, I came to accept that maybe it was for the better. I was still pretty bummed about the whole ordeal, but in time I realized that maybe certain precautions had to be taken before just taking anyone's blood.
Through the whole thing, the Red Cross employee was very nice. She tried very hard not to upset me more. She really tried to convince me to come back in one year, making it seem like it isn't too long. And well, maybe it isn't.
Although my little thing at being altruistic didn't happen today, it could happen some other day, a year from now. It'll be the last good thing I would do, depending we survive December 21, 2012.
Hey, the New Year is less than three weeks away. And in case, I don't write about anything again for this month, advance Merry Christmas to you guys. It's good to know someone is reading. (Even if you aren't really.)
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But seriously though, Red Cross, change your damn forms.
Brad! it's Baesung. Don't get upset with such things. It's their loss, not yours. hahahahaha
ReplyDeleteHahaha in a way, if I donate anyway, I would've lost something too!
ReplyDelete