From this morning, Tuesday, April 9, a large bus pulled up in front of the Palaceside Building west entrance =photo below. A mobile blood drive. Two days through tomorrow, Wednesday the 10th. Right at the 10 a.m. start, some came together from the workplace. I gave 400 cc as well =photo above.
The Palaceside Building holds a mobile drive twice a year, spring and autumn, two days each. We usually get about 80 donors, but sadly the number is slowly falling. Tomorrow the 10th is forecast quite cold. Cherry blossoms still linger around the Imperial Palace, Kii-kuni-zaka and Kitanomaru Park, but we worry the crowds will thin. Come, don't let the cold win — gather for blood donation!
Reception is 10–11 a.m. and 12:15–4 p.m. The draw itself takes about 10–15 minutes, but with the doctor's interview, plan 30–40 minutes from reception to finish.
The Red Cross says donors need at least four hours' sleep (fatigue from lack of sleep can cause a passing drop in blood pressure and feeling unwell after). Morning donors are asked to eat breakfast (a light meal is fine).
On medication, some treatments bar donation, but many drugs are fine even that day — please ask on the day.
People who have had a transfusion or organ transplant, returned from abroad within four weeks, or had bleeding dental work within three days cannot donate. Please take care.
Building occupants, neighbors and passers-by — we ask for your help.
