Mastodawn

1 of 3: Passed by the Japanese Cultural Centre today on my way to drop off hospice donations and saw a mobile blood drive.

I didn't plan to, but I decided to finally donate. Giving your time and your blood is more valuable than giving money. The world needs this kind of service right now.

I booked an appointment online just an hour before I showed up to check my eligibility. I am a 1st-time donor, and the process was quick and easy.

Before I gave blood, the nurse pricked my finger. My hemoglobin score was 147. She told me that was very good. If your score is 120 or lower, you cannot donate because your body does not have enough "Oxygen-Carrying Voltage" (anemia). I felt grateful that my body is strong enough to give.

#BloodDonor #Service #WellnessWithCrissy

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Bliss ☀️🐈Feb 28

2 of 3: The lady beside me had "shy veins." In medical terms, this is called Difficult Venous Access (DVA). Her veins were too deep and thin for the needle to enter. This was her 7th visit.

She didn't say why she keeps trying, but her eyes filled with tears. She just wants to help. It reminded me that being healthy enough to donate is a gift we should not waste.

For me, donating is part of my healing journey. During the pandemic, I had acute pancreatitis, which put me in the emergency room.

After 15 hours, they narrowed it down: I had asymptomatic Type 2 diabetes so extreme that my pancreas was failing. I stayed in the hospital for a week, on a medically supervised fast, hooked up to 3 IVs for nourishment, getting insulin shots nightly.

#Healing #Type2Diabetes #Resilience

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Bliss ☀️🐈

3 of 3: After going on a temporary vegetarian, low-carb, high-fiber diet, I lost 20 lbs. in 3 months through weight training and walks.

I learned that I could stop taking insulin with weight loss and diet changes. With my endocrinologist supervising my progress, I have been injection-free since summer 2021 and have naturally healed my pancreas through intermittent fasting and lifestyle changes.

Donating blood is like a "system reset" for my body. It reduces extra iron that can cause oxidative stress on the pancreas, which helps my cells become more receptive to insulin.

I don't know my blood type yet, and I look forward to learning what it is! As a woman, I can donate again in 3 months. By helping others, I am also helping my own body stay in balance. It is an act of self-respect.

Will you check if you are eligible to donate? Your "liquid gold" could be the miracle someone else is praying for today. Book here: https://www.blood.ca/en

#FriendFriday #Caturday #Sovereignty

Canadian Blood Services

Experience what you get when you give. Join Canada's Lifeline today.