I dunno, but after Saturday morning, I think that has a real future as a pick-up line! Bright and early, (9h30), Saturday morning, Mr_Scientist, Faso_Chic and I met up at the Hopital bus stop.

There were many who were interested in donating, but few were deemed acceptable. The restrictions in Switzerland aren't overly rigid (especially compared with other countries), but they do weed out a large portion of the expat population in Geneva. And then there were others who couldn't quite overcome the call of the pillow. 9h30 is a bit early, but we didn't get out of there until after eleven, so I was really glad of the early start.

We merry three picked our way through the construction site that is HUG and registered as donors at the blood donation center. They have the forms in English, but our donor interviews were in French (just going over what you wrote on the form). By the way, you get up to the fifth floor to the blood donor center, and there is chocolate everywhere!

Faso_chic was ruled out right away because they don't think she has enough blood for herself let alone to give any away, but Mr_Scientist and I were welcomed with big smiles. Australian and American... we're good for something after all. :)

Interesting side note, there are no geographical restrictions at all on Australians, but Americans have a four week quarantine because of West Nile virus.

After our interviews, we were asked to move to another room where we were served orange juice, croissants, more chocolate. We were content to stay there and chat, but they told us that after we finished our juice, we were to move to the room where they actually take your blood. We hopped onto the very comfortable lounge chairs that move and lift and curve and got stuck by needles. While the blood was draining out of our arms, we were plied with more chocolate, juice, and water. Faso_Chic provided excellent moral support, taking my mind off of the needle in my arm. I learned all about eating fish in Baranquilla, Colombia.

Apres donation, we wandered off to Plainpalais for a coffee and a peek at the Fleamarket before parting ways to run errands and go to movies.

I will definitely become a regular donor. Women can donate up to 3 times a year, men can donate 4. You must weight over 50kgs and there are lots of other fiddly little rules to protect you and the recipient. The nurses and staff at the donation center were very appreciative, kind and helpful. I can't donate again until October, but I will post it up as an activity then.

It's a really little thing in terms of time and effort (though I did sleep 14 hours Saturday night), but it can be the difference between life and death to someone else.
(I'll put my soapbox away for four months and then pull it back out again) :)
misskateJun 4, 2007 @ 17:54