The Blood Donor Dinner

Val and I attended the annual Blood Donor Dinner put on by Inova Blood Donor Services. It is always held at the the Marriot Hotel in Falls Church. Val was invited to attend because he donated six times during 2008 (the maximum times allowable). He received another Inova Blood Donor Services ball cap. That makes about 6 or 7 ball caps for him. Last year he was honored with a special plaque for having donated a lifetime total of 10 gallons of blood! Not all of that blood has been with Inova--some has been through the Red Cross. Next year he will have passed another gallon marker with Inova. Anyway, it was a fun date night together. We had a delicious three course meal, and they always have someone from the greater Washington community speak to us about how donated blood products have affected their life. This time it was a young mother whose 2-year-old daughter had been diagnosed with a blood disorder in which she had no platelets so her blood would not clot. Donated blood saved her life and allowed her body to begin producing platelets on it own. The little girl was there also, and she was adorable, of course. It is so gratifying to know that when we donate blood it does save lives and makes such a difference for so many people. Val has O-neg blood, which is the universal donor. His blood is used for newborn infants and accident victims, emergency situations when there isn't time for blood-typing. I also donate blood when I can, and every time I do I feel so good knowing that I'll be helping someone in crisis. My blood type is B-neg, which is quite rare. Only 3% of the world population has that blood type, so Inova really wants my blood, too! When our blood is actually shipped for use we receive a thank-you card from Inova letting us know that it is being used. I would recommend highly that anyone who is in a position to should become a regular blood donor. It's a great way to make a difference in this world.