I heard to day that one of the potential consequences of the swine flu will be a real shortage of blood. You see, you can not donate blood if you have flu. And blood supplies often run low anyway. So during the flu season - later in the year when numbers of people suffering from swine flu is expected to increase, blood supplies could become really low.
Now, I am not some expert who has given blood all their life. In fact, I first gave blood in April this year (you can read about it here). But my experience of giving blood was so much more than simply 'doing the right thing'.
So here are my five reasons for giving blood:
- The opportunity to take an hour out of a busy schedule to relax, reflect, meditate, etc - and at the same time people recognise that you are doing something good;
- the feel good factor for 'doing the right thing' - a feeling of slight euphoria;
- a chance to meet a great group of people (the nurses, and the other donors);
- a free cup of coffee or tea - okay it is not Cafe Nero, but it is wet, free and welcoming;
- there is always the possibility of receiving your own blood back (okay, unlikely, but you never know when you might need some extra blood!);
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Here is the latest blood stock info
