Blood Donation

I've been wanting to donate blood ever since I saw my Dad donated when I was 16. At that time I was still too young to donate and the doctor told me that I had to wait till I turn 18. The day I turned 18 came. I went to the hospital a few weeks after my birthday and asked if I could donate. The nurse said yes after I told him that I was 18. Moments later, he asked me to stand on the weighing scale and it read 45kg - I was not heavy enough to donate blood. I was then told that you have to be at least 18 years old and weigh as least 50kg in order to eligible for blood donation, providing you are healthy of course.

Three years later, which is now... I'm 21. I finally got my chance to do what I've always wanted to do - to donate blood. I'm finally old and heavy enough. I don't know why but I felt like laughing when I was typing the previous sentence. Lol. Anyway, yup - I donated blood! And it felt great; it made me feel great to be doing something that can help others. I would like to be a regular blood donor. My Dad and Andrew are regular blood donors and I'd really like to be one too.

The blood donation was held at the University's Powis Hall yesterday. Andrew texted me bout it and so I went to the blood drive at 2:30pm. I filled in a questionnaire about my health and travel history. I waited for bout 2 hours until my name was called. Luckily Janny was there otherwise I would've been bored to death. But then again, it was all worth it for a good cause. So, the nurse called my name and asked me some questions and at a lil past 4pm, I was lying down on the bed, waiting to be pricked. I was then pricked; blood flowed - very slowly! My blood flow is surprisingly slow, I do not know why. There was a guy who was before me, he finished a lot earlier than I did even though he was pricked only about a minute before me. Then there was this other guy who went a few minutes after me; he was done right after me. Their blood flowed really quickly as compared to mine. Could anyone tell me why some people have faster/slower blood flow? I find it rather interesting... Anyway, while I was donating, Janny took some pictures of me... See below.

The nurse was checking the machine as it was beeping.

Smiling for the camera.

The nurse taking the needle out when I was done.

Janny's arm.