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Donating Blood and the History of BloodGave blood this week at a blood drive at work. It was my second time giving blood. Half the time was spent at the initial questions. I guess they want to make sure the person actually understands each question. One of the nurses reads out each health history question and checks off the answer. Then at the end, the donor is given one last chance to decide whether or not to have their blood used. They allow you to anonomously post a "use my blood" or "don't use my blood" label. So if you had lied about an answer to one of the health questions, you're given one last chance to "do the right thing".
They put you through a lot to keep the blood supply safe. Last year, PBS had an interesting documentary on the history of blood (link). It took mankind a long time to figure our blood type. It wasn't until the start of the 20th century, that doctors found out about blood types and it's importance in giving blood. One of the most common recipients of blood happen to be mothers during child birth when complications arise. During the 19th century, doctors often tried to give blood to mothers. They usually had donors of the same family. But since even family members don't always have matching blood types, mothers often didn't make it.
But finally, early in the 20th century, doctors and scientists found out about blood type and the success rate of blood transfusion successes went way up, just in time for World War I and II.
After World War II, the main issue was keeping blood safe. The documentary mentioned that in the 50's and 60's it was common to be paid for giving blood. But it was soon realized that blood from donors was much safer than blood from people being paid. So now most blood in the blood banks is from donors.
And it seems that science is not winning the war against disease. After 20 years, Aids is still far from being won. And now we have SARs. At least, SARs seems to have been contained for now. The first thing they gave me when I came in to give blood was two pamphlets on the West Niles Virus and SARs to make sure I had no risk factors for these.
Finally, some interesting little facts about blood
For every 25lbs, a person has 2 pints of blood.
A pint of blood is worth about $30.
Seinfeld and Blood
This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer began banking his own blood in his freezer. Jerry then was accidentally cut with a knife and ended up getting Kramer's blood (which Jerry wasn't too excited about). It was also the episode with Izzy Mandelbaum (Lloyd Bridges) who was an old exercise maniac who had been hired by Jerry's parents to get Jerry intp shape. He and his maniac son end up putting Jerry back in the hospital (after freaking out from the blood that Kramer had used as antifreeze in Jerry's car). This time, Jerry ends up getting blood from his archenemy, Nueman. The show ended as Jerry starts a "scream trio" with Kramer and Neuman as Jerry finds about the transfusion.
The show was one of the more "somewhat silly" episodes in my opinion. For example, would Jerry really agree to get tied on a rope to the back of his car so Izzy could help get him into shape? Also, would Kramer really use his blood for antifreeze? (Well, I suppose that may be a possibility). This was one of two episodes with Lloyd Bridges playing Izzy Mandelbaum. The Izzy character was pretty funny. Seinfeld shows always did pretty well with guest stars. The other ones that come to mind include: Keith Hernandez, Bette Midler, Rudy Guoliani, and Rachel Welch.
