I started out as an 18-year-old giving blood at college drives, and kept up the habit after I entered the workforce (my colleagues and I would take field trips to the blood donation center a cab ride away from our office). About four years ago, I transitioned to platelet donation; proud of my dense platelets (they could get two to three units from me to other donors' one) and unconcerned about the additional hours apheresis took on a weekend. But in mid-May - duhn duhn duhn (I'm trying to write the sound that comes before a scenario-changing reveal) - I got a letter telling me I am no longer welcome as a platelet donor. WHAAAAT?
Yep. Turns out my HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) can, in rare situations, be harmful to some recipients. So no more platelets for moi. But all is not lost! My vital fluids are still appreciated on the other (whole blood) side of the room. And if you've been waiting for the chili part of this post, here it comes.
I got pretty friendly with my platelet nurses over the years. So much so, that when several of them told me they like chili, I (who can cook up some kick-ass chili, if I say so myself; all beany and meaty and lusciously thick) would make a big pot and bring it in from time to time. Along with sour cream, and shredded cheese, and tortilla chips. And they would often eat this concoction at 8:00 in the morning, because what's better for breakfast than chili? Today, returning to give whole blood, I arrived at the donor center, and saw Emmanuel first. "I can't give platelets anymore," I said, mournfully. "Awww...that is too bad, Miss Anita." Emmanuel, a kind and happy fellow whose face lights up when he sees me, and who did the honors when I brought my young niece in for her first blood donation, was clearly as dismayed as I was. "And we will not get chili anymore." Then Mit, a lively nurse with whom I have talked about his culture and music, saw me and gave me the sad face, too. "No more chili, Anita. We will miss you." After similar conversations with a few others, two things were clear: it wasn't my personality that was endearing me to everyone, and I was going to have to come across with a pot of savory goodness pretty soon, so some other scheming platelet donor didn't slide onto my chili queen throne.
After a lifetime of blood contributions, I hope I have saved a few lives. No matter what, I've always been aware that there is a trail of people in this world who are forever connected to me. Now I know it's either because they got some of my blood, or they've eaten my chili.
© 2016 A Bit of Brie/Anitabrie
