Dirty blood

Last week the Navy bloodmobile came to our pier to get donations from the sailors on both ships that are berthed there. Much of the blood that they get goes to the troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. I thought it was a good idea to contribute, so I went out there to try and do so.

However, I was surprised to find out that I was ineligible to give blood because I had been to Thailand in the last year. They said there was too much of a risk of malaria. Apparently there are many countries that this rule applies to, including parts of the Philippines.

I understand their caution, but somehow I find it hard to believe that my blood is tainted for an entire year just because I visited Thailand for five days. I'm no doctor or anything, but I'm pretty sure I don't have malaria. Oh yeah, and great choice of piers for the bloodmobile to visit. I've been to Thailand in the last year...along with most of the crew of my ship. The blood donation rate was pretty slow that day, I'm sure.

Usually I am unable to give blood; pilots on flight status are not authorized because of the physiological impact. However, since I am not on flight status right now I thought it might be my first chance to give in a long time. So much for that idea. I go back to flying in April; I guess the troops in Iraq will have to get their blood from someone who's not tainted.