PSA: Consider donating blood.
If you can't, I'm really sorry; I couldn't for decades and it hurt. I was bitter about it. I know how it is and I'm sorry.
But if you can …
Look, everything is kinda shit right now. I am trying not to spiral. We're all struggling. But I just went and donated platelets and for a little while I can feel a little better about myself. Doesn't that sound nice? There's a selfish angle here, is what I'm trying to point out.
@stevegis_ssg I was scheduled to today, unfortunately I've come down with illness and wasn't able to go, but when I called to cancel my appointment they let me know. there's a new whole blood donation center opening at the mall near me, so I won't have to wait for the rare occasions the that they set up a unit on campus!
Course, I'm never going to get up to numbers that my buddy who donates plasma every single time he's eligible to get to, I think he's at near 100 donations at this point...
Yeah, I can do platelets ~every 3 weeks, which is great. I think today was #44 since they changed the rules to take fag blood.
Feel better soon!
@stevegis_ssg Alas, I tried a couple of months back but the Australian Red Cross said no, because of the #TransientIschaemicAttack I had back in 2023.
I even got a letter from a GP first saying that I was stable and medically fit to donate but still no joy. :(
I'm sorry! And sorry if this was unpleasant to see; I work for a hospital and during the long decades when they wouldn't take fag blood I would see the URGENT DONATIONS NEEDED signs and feel very bitter about it, so I really hope I haven't added insult to (reperfusion) injury.
@stevegis_ssg It’s fine. I’ll keep an eye on their policies and try again in 6 months or so.
But, yeah, right now I’ve joined the ranks of thousands of trans folk in Oz who are banned from giving blood on spurious medical grounds.
It is what it is.
I Know How It Is.
Steve Gisselbrecht
Canageek
Arcadiagt5
Goose goes Brrrr 🥶
Rod Sherwin
(dubious) opinion haver 