SuNDaY BLooDY SuNDaY, MaRCH 1 FiNaL

*****Entry I missed!!! So sorry:

A Day Of Blood Loss A very unique take on donating blood! Thanks so much Claire! And sorry for not getting you into the post sooner!


CONTEST / FLORIDA INFORMATION AT THE END SO PLEASE READ IF YOU HAVE DONATED AND ARE ENTERED TO WIN THE FLORIDA TRIP!


This is IT folks! Here are your FINAL donors for Manic Mommy's Virtual Blog for Blood Drive!

Alum Donor Amy, from Indianapolis

Here's Amy's blog post from this year.

Inspiration: Just seems like a nice thing to do! I'm over 1.5 gallons now.

Thanks Amy! I'm always SO thrilled to have alum donors show up again! And I see you brought a friend this year ...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kristy - Amy's pal donated too and here's her blog post,
Nicole, Deipnosophist, and photos:




Amy and I have been blood sisters for several years now, encouraging each other to donate blood when we can. I have been out of the habit due to first my pregnancy, then nursing a baby. I am not sure if nursing precludes donation, but I had enough going on!

Anyway it’s my job to drag her to the gym, and her job to drag me to be poked by needles.

I really detest the needle stick, but it’s worth it to save lives. Thanks for the motivation, Amy!

Do you donate? If not, give it a shot. It’s easy and the cookies afterward are tasty.

YES! Even though Manic's blood drive is OVER until NEXT YEAR, you can still donate - it is EASY and there are always FREE COOKIES and LIVES SAVED!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hey Stephanie,

It's Sue from As Cape Cod Turns ...

HI SUE! CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU AT BLOGHER!

... thanking you for getting me to go donate blood. I did it when my nephew had cancer, but had found excuses since then not to. You gave me the push I needed, or was it the potential trip to Florida? Either way, I went. I planned it well; I first went and had my hair cut and then went to give blood. I look good in the picture, right?

YES YOU DO SUE!!! FABULOUS DARLING!

Yes, and quite colorful because I am tired of all the brown around here and am ready for spring!

ME TOO SUE! AND SINCE TODAY IS MARCH 1, WE CAN'T BE THAT FAR AWAY, RIGHT?

Since I live on Cape Cod, they gave me a squishy lighthouse to hold to get my blood pumping. I should have slipped it in my purse!

Sue :)




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~

Candace B.
ROyal Oaks, MI
if you post this pic of my Sat. morning hair, I will cry. One pint of b positive in the bag, sister!!

Cry sista cry, cuz I'm posting it, and you look beautiful with your Saturday morning blood-donatin' hair!

I had just been at my favorite moms to moms sale & a ponytail/headband combo is the only option when you're fighting for the good size 5Ts.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My friend Carlos, who donated not only blood, but also $50 toward prizes for the event and he knows he is ineligible to win the trip to Florida so he is NO threat to those of you who are in the running to that vacation! Which I know will make morninglight mama's hubby very happy cuz he is dying to win that trip to Florida and one fewer contestant in the mix will just make his day. Thanks to my bud Carlos!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Me, donating again, which was a very close call, even though I had a double-burger the day before and was eating broccoli and spinach a lot, I was only 12.6 on the iron scale and you have to be 12.5, but I did it! TWICE during the blood drive! YAY ME!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ALUMS Martha and Laura:




Hey miss manic, Martha and I both made it to donate today (I was not sure they would take my blood cause I was sick a bit ago)

Laura and Martha, Laura's Blog

This is of course the greatest contest! Everyone wins plus so many more who are the recipents win the most LIFE!

love ya
Laura and Martha Jean

Thanks so much Laura and Martha! I loved that this Mother-Daughter Duo donated AGAIN this year. Martha was just 16 last year and it was her first time donating then!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hey Steph,
I finally did it. After weeks of trying and being told my hemoglobin levels were too low and being deferred again and again, I kept at it, and today... my hemoglobin levels were 12.7. Phew! I'm the consummate try try try again story. And there are four neonatal babies that will benefit from it (I'm a neonatal donor).




My Heartland Center refused to take any pictures, even after I cited your knowledge that once the needle was in, it was fine. They wouldn't allow any pictures on premises at all, not even post donation. The best they could offer was a note written on their letterhead that I donated today. I took pictures of me still in the parking lot, so I hope that works...

Yay blood donation!

Thanks Michelle--I know you've gone like three or four times to donate--this is what I call DEDICATION!!! And you musta had some crabby Heartland folks, cuz at MY HEARTLAND they are great and let us take photos all the time, and YES, you're right, I did clear it with the headquarters there before I started the blood drive, so you must have just had some cranky people. But good for you for getting the letter, and I know you donated last year but didn't get any photos so good luck in the contest this year!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL DONORS THIS YEAR:

In fact, good luck to everyone this year. Here's how it will work. Later this week, I will put up a list of the prizes and also show everyone's photos again. Some of you indicated that a trip to Fla might not be possible. Here is what the trip details so if you think you cannot swing it, let me know and I'll not include you in the Florida drawing:

A complimentary stay of Six Days/Five Nights in a 2 Bedroom Resort Classic or Northside Villa at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Expiration date: 2-28-10.

Reservations must be made within 30 days of arrival. Recipient must be at least 25 years of age or accompanied by a legal guardian. Blackout dates apply for the following months: March, April, June, July, December 30-January 2. This certificate does not include gratuity or incidentials and is NOT TRANSFERABLE, REDEEMABLE FOR CASH OR FOR RE-SALE. We appreciate your attention to the expiration date noted below. No extention will be issued. Please present coupon upon arrival.

(And there is an 800# to call when you win the Florida trip.)

So, if you want to win this trip, you have to be absolutely SURE you're going to be able to use it for yourself and your family, or please let me know to withdraw your name from the Florida trip drawing. We have other prizes in the contest you can qualify for!

So, next week, I'll announce the other prizes and those who are qualified to win, and the following week, we'll do the live video drawing like last year at the Heartland Blood Center so stay tuned, and please, to all you donors, just leave me a comment that you either CAN or CANNOT do the Florida trip to make it easier for me to regulate the contest!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WONDERFUL PARTICIPATION, and if I have any last minute donors that show up in my email TODAY, I WILL INCLUDE YOU! xo