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I need to talk to you about something that’s of the upmost importance. It’s near and dear to my heart. The L.A. County Fair.
Today’s good deed: DONATE BLOOD
I know. I know. I’m supposed to inform you about donating blood … how 5 million patients in the U.S. need blood each year … how every 2 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion … how donating blood saves lives. Blah, blah blah. I know. I KNOW. But the L.A. County Mother Lovin’ Fair is in town! THAT’S MY JAM!!!!!!!!!
Here’s a compromise: for every donating/blood related fact I write, I get to give you one LACF fact. What does one have to do with the other? I got a free any-day ticket by donating blood at an LACF blood drive. And so can you!
FACT 1: Donating blood is easy. It only takes about an hour from start to finish and that includes paperwork and snack time.
FAIR FACT: Snacks at the LACF include deep-fried pineapple upside down cake, Bavarian cream funnel cakes, and bacon wrapped pork butts on a stick. (I did not make any of that up.)
FACT 2: The actual donation only takes 5-15 minutes.
FAIR FACT: The Thor Meet & Greet will be held this weekend at 2, 4:30, & 6:30pm.
FACT 3: Most donated blood is spun in centrifuges to separate it into red cells, plasma and platelets.
FAIR FACT: Fair goers can be spun on dozens of rides including the new ‘OMG’ and the ‘Rave Wave,’ a ride featuring a monument of Poseidon wearing Ray-Bans and over the ear headphones.
FACT 4: Platelets can only last 5 days.
FAIR FACT: The Los Angeles County Fair will only last till Sept. 28.
FACT 5: Red cells can only be stored for up to 42 days.
FAIR FACT: Red wines can be enjoyed for the whole festival. (Try the winners from the L.A. International Wine, Spirits and Beer competition at the wine bar!)
FACT 6: You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours after you’ve given blood.
FAIR FACT: I should not drink more than 3 Cadillac Margaritas at the county fair.
FACT 7: Here’s a link to where your blood goes after it’s donated.
FAIR FACT: Here’s a link to where the pigs go during the pig races.
FACT 8: According to the American Red Cross, if you began donating blood at the age of 17 and donated every 56 days until you reach 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood saving more than a thousand lives!
FAIR FACT: According to my calculations, if you began watching the pig races at the start of the fair and watched all 124 of them collecting your free coupon for a pound of bacon after each one, you would receive 2,500 slices of free medium cut bacon making more than 500 BLTs!
FACT 9: 41,000 blood donations are needed every day.
FAIR FACT: 1,084 pints of blood were donated at the fair last year.
FACT 10: You don’t have to wait for a fair to donate blood.
FAIR FACT: I’m not waiting one more minute to go to the fair!!!
Having fun and saving lives. What more could a girl ask for? Maybe a cherry pop rock donut. Wait … Chaka Khan is playing at the fair? Ooooo … a baconlicious waffle sandwich …
Photo (Flickr CC) by Patrick
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Holly Walker
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