Week 40: San Diego Blood Bank - Liberty Station

Week 40: Oct. 1-7th, 2023

This week, I maintained my Guardian status with the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB). Remember my random decision to donate blood during Comic Con in Week 29? All I had to do was donate blood before November 8th. I take any opportunity I get to spend a sunny weekend morning at Liberty Station, so I chose to make my donation appointment there. San Diego's 15-minute drive rule still remains, so I didn't mind picking Liberty Station instead of the SDBB location closer to my apartment.

The blood bank was in a courtyard near Trader Joe's. I passed a bunch of people enjoying morning coffees and a group doing yoga on the grass.

The entrance inside a courtyard at Liberty Station

When I arrived, I filled out some forms and got my blood pressure and temperature checked. The building was big, and well-staffed, well-run, and well-maintained. There were spooky Halloween and Fall decorations adorning the walls and lobby counter.

The Caution tape was a funny touch for a blood bank.

A cute, painted rock on the counter kept me company while I filled out forms.

They sat me in a chair in the donation room where a couple other people were mid-donation. It was really cool to hear the machines whirring away and each nurse buzzing around checking on the people hooked up to blood draw equipment. A man across from me was hooked up to a very intricate machine and had an entire lap-desk set up. He was typing furiously with his one available hand on his phone, while an iPad was propped up on his lap-desk. I asked my nurse about him. Apparently, he is a regular who donates whole blood and plasma (which explains the weird machine) as often as he can. It was funny to think of someone being a "regular" at a blood bank, since I usually associate that term with bars or nail salons. He seemed to be quite comfortable, and the nurses loved him.

I didn't used to be able to donate blood for various reasons, but now that I am eligible, I figured, why not? It is such an easy thing to do. Donating blood helps so many people in need and doesn't take much from me. I'll just make the blood again, no big deal! Human bodies are endlessly amazing.

I have O Positive blood type, which means I am a universal donor. The nurses said blood like mine is like gold, and comes in handy when hospitals experience serious blood shortages. Big shoutout to my smarty pants sister who explained the proteins and science behind blood types and compatibility! I'm glad I'm able to help.

The staff were all so appreciative and caring (and complimented my nails, which is a quick way to my heart) and my appointment took less than 45 mins. I was bandaged up, and my little bags of blood were carted off to the back room for storage. I immediately thought of the scene from Vampire Diaries where they drink from blood pouches like Capri-Suns. I had to fight the urge to tap my nurse and say, "Be honest, are vampires real?" Plus, she probably wouldn't tell me the truth... to protect her vampire friends, obviously.

I stayed for the obligatory 10-15 minutes for observation and enjoyed the snack selection in the lobby.

They keep things well-stocked.

I was thrilled with the snacks, but the cherry on top was seeing the standing freezer.

Ice cream!

There were many options, but obviously I settled for an ice cream cone.

A beautiful, post-donation cone

I scheduled my next appointment for early December. Maybe I will return to this location, since Liberty Station is so wonderful, or maybe I'll try another one.

I wonder if the vampires have a preferred location, too.

See you next week.