I was 36-years-old, a very active mother of two and a full-time career person. At work one day, there was a bloodmobile in our parking lot. I had donated blood several times in the past so I decided to stop in on my lunch break and give up another pint. During the pre-donation assessment, however, I was told that I could not donate as my blood pressure was too high. I looked at the phlebotomist with a combination of disbelief, irritation, and more than a hint of disdain as I figured there must be a mistake. Yet, she assured me that my blood pressure was dangerously high and that I should seek medical attention immediately.

I had always been healthy and never had any diagnosis of high blood pressure. I didn’t realize that a blood pressure of 210 over 155 could result in stroke or worse. Although I was very skeptical, I took her advice and made an appointment with my primary care physician. In the meantime I tracked my blood pressure several times a day to present to my doctor. On the day of my appointment, he referred me to a cardiologist where I was examined, tested, and diagnosed with high blood pressure that was apparently hereditary. The dangers of my condition were made abundantly clear and I immediately began taking medication even before I left the office. The cardiologist called me every two hours under threat of hospitalization if my blood pressure didn’t drop significantly.

If I had not attempted to donate that day, something horrible may have happened and my husband could be raising our children by himself. I continue to donate blood and now my kids participate as well. It’s a wonderful way to give back to others. Plus, the life you may help save could be your own!

Sorry You’re Not My Type

by Ashley Messick, Social Media Guru, A negative blood type, and Virgo

Ok so it’s not as if there’s a spot on e-Harmony or MySpace to list if you are Type O or AB negative right? But across the world in Japan your blood type can be so much more than just a letter or two; it’s a reflection of character traits and personality differences that may or may not make for a good relationship match. Seem like a foreign concept – but then again when’s the last time you flipped to the horoscope section in your favorite newspaper or magazine?

My older sister Kat spent a year teaching English to junior high kids in Japan so I asked her if she had ever heard of the blood type interest. “Of course! My students used to always want to know my blood type and then giggle about it.” And if you still don’t believe me check out these cell phone charms you can buy online.

So just in case you want to start using these methods when checking our potential dates or friendships here are the characteristics of each type:

Japanese Blood Type Personality Chart (from Wikipedia)

Type A: Best Traits: Creative, sensible; Worst Traits:Fastidious, overearnest.
Type B: Best Traits: Wild, a doer, cheerful; Worst Traits:Selfish, irresponsible.
Type AB: Best Traits: Cool, controlled, rational; Worst Traits:Critical, indecisive.
Type O: Best Traits:Agreeable, sociable, an optimist; Worst Traits:Vain, careless.

Don’t know your type? That’s just one more reason to come up to Blood Centers of the Pacific and donate!