Maybe it was the flack they got for "mishandling" funds (which I thought was exaggerated, though I am glad people are willing to question and examine critically what The Red Cross does with their resources). Maybe it's just not at the forefront of people's minds when it's not the top story on CNN. But I also think there are a few people out there like me, who personality-wise have a problem with the tediousness of repetition.

You can give blood about every two months (58 days), which to math-wizards everywhere means six times per year. I'm the type of guy who would love to go grocery shopping once in his lifetime and be done with it. It actually irritates me that I have to go back to produce aisle when I was just there a few weeks ago. There are a few things I'd love to repeat over and over. Reading the same great book or seeing the same great film again and again. Okay, I'll do that. But not the boring stuff. I think that's why my goal in giving blood is four times per year rather than six. I just can't be trusted to be a happy trooper at the blood drive on the 58th afternoon.

Enter "automated" or "double red cell" donations. You give twice the red blood cells (the part of the blood most in-demand) as during a regular donation, but your plasma is given back to you, along with some saline, leaving you well hydrated and free to not come back for a good 16 weeks. Not only does it reduce your trips to The Red Cross per year from six times to three. In addition, it cuts down on their costs, because they only need to test twice the red blood cells for each blood-born problem once, and that's where much of the cost in blood donation comes from.

And now, having thus praised this new process, I'll now say that I didn't like it. Maybe it's because I have a natural fear of hospitals and hospital-like equipment. But more likely it's because of the rehydration. Since they take so much out of you, when the machine returns your plasma, it also gives you about a pint of saline which for most folks leaves them slightly more hydrated than before the donation. For me though (as an excessive water-drinker who consumed more than his usual excessive amount in anticipation of giving blood) I felt too hydrated, maybe for the first time in my life. And I didn't stop feeling too hydrated until late that night.

So if you don't give blood frequently and part of the barrier is a mental problem like mine, ask to try automated/double red cell donating next time. It might only be available at Red Cross blood centers, not necessarily at every blood drive.

I think my 16 weeks are up this month. With the earthquake/tsunami disaster in South-East Asia (which is another reason to support The Red Cross with blood and money), I'm going to try and give blood as soon as I'm able. I'm hesitant to try the automated donations again, but it's a great idea for none-crazy donors. And maybe if the world is generous and fortunate, there'll once more be lines long enough to turn me away anyway.


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