Earth Spirit

Today was the blood drive at our college, and myself and Crim gave blood (I sat by Crim’s side is how I can speak for her), and Nadia tried but was deferred, as were some of our other friends for various reasons (being out of approved countries within the last twelve months, for example, such as one of our friend’s visit to Haiti last May).

The experience was very grounding, and always has been for me.

This was my fourth time with the needle, my third time actually giving blood (the first time I tried to give blood, my blood clotted up before anything really happened). One time I was deferred due to low iron (it was 11.8 on one check and even lower on the second, while the number they need to see is 12.5). Every time, just trying to donate is a powerful experience.

I like to think that it’s spiritual for me. Not because it’s a good deed that will get me in good with some deity, but because I know I’m saving three lives. And my blood is extremely needed and extremely likely to be used because I’m O negative. So they really need people like me to help them out because everyone can accept my blood.

So, maybe I’m being selfish, a bit, when donating my blood, because it does make me feel good to know I’m helping someone. But I also feel more in touch with the world. This is why just trying is powerful for me. I may not have made it, I may not have actually helped anyone, but I tried. And it is so grounding.

– Cami