The Need is Constant. The Gratification Instant. And I’m Not Talking Chocolate Sundaes.”

The Need is Constant. The Gratification Instant. And I’m Not Talking Chocolate Sundaes.”

Almost a month into my “Year to Push the Through the Comfort Zones,” I’m constantly looking for ways to shake things up a bit — whether learning to rollerblade, eating a vegetable a day (not including ketchup) or memorizing lyrics  to the entire ABBA library.  So last week, I pulled my fingers off my laptop and headed up to the Madison Fitness Center Blood Drive.

When younger, I gave blood fairly often. Then the busyness of life reached a fever pitch and my giving days ran dry. I would ride by those Blood Drive Today signs and think…I need to turn in this time. But this time never came.

Until last Friday when I decided to slay yet another comfort zone and pull into the parking lot rather than driving past. Inside the Fitness Center, I saw many familiar faces; including Erin Cisson who I learned is a regular donor and Cedric Huff, who dropped by to donate on his lunch hour.

After answering preliminarily questions, Red Cross professionals directed me to the room which usually holds sweaty bodies spinning on stationary bikes or figures swaying to a Latin beat in a Zumba session. Reclining chairs lined the walls. Finding an open bed, I lay down, rolled up my sleeve and Ouch.

That was it. The pinch was over in a second. Then I rested for the next 15 minutes while my blood did its thing. The resting part – and following juice and Nutter Butter — being totally worth the stick.

Can I be honest, maybe even a bit serious? I’m O negative. The O negative tribe is the universal donor. It is critical because medical professionals can use it in an emergency without wasting precious time checking the blood type of the recipient. Many years ago while in college, I attended an outdoor concert in Dallas, Texas. Earlier that afternoon a violent wind shear had slammed an airliner carrying 163 mothers, sons, friends, and grandfathers to the ground while attempting to land at DFW. At the concert, the Red Cross called for donors, especially O negative. Until last Friday, I had forgotten pushing down through the darkness that night — stumbling around blankets and picnic baskets — to join the crush of people wanting to give.

Everyone had a sense of urgency that night. I did. O negatives are only seven percent of the population.

I felt good leaving the Fitness Center on Friday but a bit sheepish too. Every minute of every day having blood available is a matter of life and death.

This Wednesday on my blog, I’ll feature another inspiring local woman, Patty Richards. Our e-conversation will highlight how a pint of blood can save up to three lives and how donation became a very personal cause for Patty along with her amazing daughter Jessica Moon.

From now on, I promise to be on the lookout for Blood Drive signs in front of the Presbyterian Church. Not only looking out, but reserving a time slot and turning into the parking lot. How often can we say I gave someone the gift of life?

And – maybe it’s just me – but minus a pint of blood, I looked killer later that night at the Chophouse in my jeans. Well, middle-aged, happily-married killer.