Frazz by Jef Mallett for February 12, 2024

Mine is 80 proof…….

Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.

Trail mix type. and grape juice

Those used to be my go-to cookie. But more recently my serum cookie tends toward ginger molasses odor…

The ways kids learn about the world today.

Mine is fried okra.

National Peanut Butter Day was January 24.

I went to give blood one time years ago, they had a commotion when I checked in. When I asked why, they told me the hospital had a pediatric open heart surgery scheduled for that afternoon, and they were hoping I’d keep my donation appointment. Wait, you mean they are waiting on me so they can crack somebody’s toddler’s chest open? Scary. Kind of good, but scary.

mmmm… oreos! just signed up for my next donation!

After donating 15 gallons, I’ve been sidelined by health issues precluding donating more.

The last time I checked the Red Cross website, my immediate family and myself was still banned from donating blood. When I was stationed in Europe (1981-1984) during my military days, which was at the height of the Mad Cow disease, we had consumed meat over there, of course, so we have not been allowed to donate blood as a result. I would have thought after all this time the prohibition would have been lifted, but not yet, and probably won’t ever will be. Do need to check again because things do change at times and I haven’t checked in a while.

Mine used to be Loorna Doones.

I’m a volunteer at Canadian Blood Services, I’d say more than half of our donors are regulars with over 100 donations or more. I love how they look forward to their snacks. Just like kids…

I used to give as often as allowed from college until well into my sixties. But so much scar tissue built up in my arm that they asked me to stop. They could get the needle in, but the blood wouldn’t come out. Now when I have health issues and need an IV, they sometimes have to call a special set of techs to get the blood to flow. I do miss the juice and cookies.

Mine is Grandma’s oatmeal raisin cookies, and Pepsi.

I was cut off after 13 gallons. Time spent in East Europe was given as a reason. Never bothered checking back.

Thanks Jef. Great little pro-blood donation topic. In the Army when we donated blood, we got juice and cookies and we got out of PT the next day! :-)

I tried to donate blood once, in the footsteps of my Dad who was a big donor. About two minutes into the process I turned a “whiter than white” white. They decided that I wasn’t suitable.

I hope to go back to donating platelets soon.

What would happen if a vampire regularly donated blood?

Mine is Danish butter cookie. But recent blood tests show me as prediabetic, so no cookies or candy for me. I’ve already lost 5 pounds.

That’s my blood type, too. The original kind.

Mine is nutter butters, too. the original kind, though

My blood bank has Pop Corners and cans of orange juice. I’m O Negative, so any of you can get my blood.

I miss the Lorna Doones!

For some reason I always crave apple juice after I donate; that’s the only time I drink it.

For solids, Cheezits, kettle-corn Pop Corners, or Lorna Doone.

If you can spare the time to donate platelets, you get to watch a movie as well.

They don’t offer Nutter Butters around here. We get Oreos, Lorna Doones, potato chips, and pretzels. Not a bad selection, but now I’m craving Nutter Butters…

Famous Anous chocolate chip cookies and Pop Corners these days. The blood bank no longer has the home-made brownies.

My blood bank gives out other interesting gifts, most notably a series of t-shirts. Back last spring I scored the St. Patrick’s Day “O’Donor—Universal Draught” shirt (type O donors only), styled like a Guinness Draught Stout label. Late summer I picked up a “Bled Zeppelin” design (parody of the classic Led Zep tour shirt). December was “Donating Blood Kept Me Off the Naughty List” tacky Christmas shirt, plus an “I Gave S’More Blood” for doing a double-red-cell donation on the vampire machine.

I always preferred the pretzels, but I can’t donate any more :(

I am skeptical that she ever asked anyone about it. At every age, people generally quite happily assume they know everything they need to know to make a judgement. Having enough curiosity to suspect that asking a question or two would be profitable is a rare trait.

I tell them every time if they don’t have Nutter Butters at the canteen I want my blood back.

I looked forward to snarfing more than my share of popcorn.

Over the years I managed 65 gallons before age 65. My doctor strongly suggested I stop. Donating. Popcorn in moderation.

Cheesits are my snack of choice. I just got my 200 donations pin. I try to go every 3 weeks to donate platelets, and yes, the scarred veins make it a bit tougher, but it’s all good.

Next month will be donation 104, thirteen gallons. I’ll get my pin and grape juice and cookies. And a t-shirt or socks or something.

Glad this kid could manage there. I once saw a woman leave a little girl in a stroller in the Red Cross waiting area. Donors took turns reading to her, so it didn’t go too badly, but I worried that she might need a diaper change.

Incidentally, I’m giving platelets this Saturday.

Take your kids when you go vote as well.

Last time I donated blood, they gave out fruit.

Part of the reason I started donating was the (probably misplaced) hope that the calories needed to replace the blood would help me lose weight (or at least keep it stable). I generally only drink diet pop, though most of the time all they have is Diet Coke (ugh) so I either bring my own or indulge in the sugared stuff…