So, my company does a lot of philanthropic activities. It's a good, good thing. We build a house with Habitat for Humanity each year, we do a huge fundraiser for ALS, we do fun runs and walks through out the year, serve meals at the shelter, and so on and so on. There's something for everyone.
Once a quarter, we get the Red Cross to bring a bloodmobile to the office and those who choose to, donate.
I've only been here twice when the bloodmobile is, so I did my part. I also go to the donation center in Nashville. Since I got an IUD and the electric pressure cooker, my iron levels are stellar. STELLAR. Go greens! Go no menstrual cycle!
So I donate, much as I have since I was 17.
But every time a bloodmobile e mail goes out, I get to hear one of my colleagues complain bitterly, loudly, frequently, petulantly.
He hates the Red Cross, because they won't let him donate. Why? Because he's a sexually active gay male.
Now, do I think that's 100% fair? No. But I don't think everything they do is totally fair and PC. But it's a high risk group, so they cut them out of the equation.
I don't like it, but I don't have to like it. I know people who were excluded for a ton of reasons - that's just one of many.
So, I get it - he feels hurt and left out. I get it.
But the Red Cross does SO MANY good things.
In addition to gathering and maintaining a safe blood supply, they teach CPR, and Life Guarding, and Babysitting classes. They offer disaster relief.
So, I feel bad that my colleague feels disenfranchised. But not so bad that I'll quit giving.
I really want to ask him if he would ever take a blood donation if he needed one during surgery or after an accident. I bet he would.
Maybe I'm insensitive. Maybe he's too sensitive?
I don't know - this has just been bothering me.
ae
Once a quarter, we get the Red Cross to bring a bloodmobile to the office and those who choose to, donate.
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| Na na na na na na na na BLOOD BAGS! |
I've only been here twice when the bloodmobile is, so I did my part. I also go to the donation center in Nashville. Since I got an IUD and the electric pressure cooker, my iron levels are stellar. STELLAR. Go greens! Go no menstrual cycle!
So I donate, much as I have since I was 17.
But every time a bloodmobile e mail goes out, I get to hear one of my colleagues complain bitterly, loudly, frequently, petulantly.
He hates the Red Cross, because they won't let him donate. Why? Because he's a sexually active gay male.
Now, do I think that's 100% fair? No. But I don't think everything they do is totally fair and PC. But it's a high risk group, so they cut them out of the equation.
I don't like it, but I don't have to like it. I know people who were excluded for a ton of reasons - that's just one of many.
So, I get it - he feels hurt and left out. I get it.
But the Red Cross does SO MANY good things.
In addition to gathering and maintaining a safe blood supply, they teach CPR, and Life Guarding, and Babysitting classes. They offer disaster relief.
So, I feel bad that my colleague feels disenfranchised. But not so bad that I'll quit giving.
I really want to ask him if he would ever take a blood donation if he needed one during surgery or after an accident. I bet he would.
Maybe I'm insensitive. Maybe he's too sensitive?
I don't know - this has just been bothering me.
ae
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