Donating Blood

Last Sunday 20th June, after attending a bazaar at St. Aloysius Church, Jerome and I decided that we should go to another church, Sacred Heart Cathedral where a blood donation campaign was going on. Jerome has been a regular blood donor since his college years. As for me, even though I would very much like to donate blood but based on my past record I have been branded as 'unfit to donate blood' as I am anemic. My hemoglobin count has always been very low so donating blood is out of the question. Anyway, upon reaching the blood donation center, I decided that I should check again... who knows with all the adjustments that I have made with my eating habit I may be able to donate! So, tagging beside Jerome I went on to tell him what was on my mind. Of course, we are already here, you should take the opportunity to have a free check... was what Jerome said. The medical officer who attended me smiled and said to me "first time?" Emm...yes, I answered. After taking my blood pressure and checking my hemoglobin level I was declared "fit to donate". Wow! I said in my heart...this is really an achievement! I was then ushered to another room where the process of taking my blood took place. The most ironic was the fact that Jerome was not able to donate blood as his hemoglobin level was below the required standard even though his blood pressure was perfectly normal. He was quite upset about it and concluded that he must change his diet.