Blood Donors: Want to Join Team Hellspark?
For those of you who donate blood and use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, I’ve created a team called Hellsparks.
It’s named after the Janet Kagan book. At 4′ 11″, Janet didn’t meet the weight requirements to donate, so she posted a request on her website, asking others to do so and offering a special gift to those who did.
I figured if I was going to create a blood donation team of my fellow SF/F folks, it was fitting to name it in her honor. (My thanks to Ricky Kagan, who gave his blessing to use the name.)
Consider this your official invitation to join the Hellsparks and save some lives.
To encourage folks to spread the word, I’ll be giving away two Kindle copies of Hellspark. (One of my favorite books of all time.)
- Leave a comment on this post, and voila! You’re entered.
- If you join Team Hellspark, mention that in the comment for a second chance to win!
I know not everyone is able to donate blood, and not everyone who does donates through the Red Cross. (Which is why I decided to give away two copies instead of just one. I wouldn’t want anyone to feel excluded!)
Thank you.
Bill Emerson
January 11, 2017 @ 11:07 am
I’m a long time whole blood and platelets donor. I just signed up to be a Hellspark. My next donation appointment is in two weeks!
Sandy Hines
January 11, 2017 @ 11:14 am
Did platelets last friday, have already joined
Diana Davis
January 11, 2017 @ 11:21 am
Due to health issues I can no longer donate. I used to do it regularly and my husband still goes in every 8 weeks or so. One of the best (and easiest) things to do to help your fellow humans.
Miles Carter
January 11, 2017 @ 11:57 am
Stout work, JCH!
Joolz Blackwell
January 11, 2017 @ 12:58 pm
UK based so I suppose I could be an honorary member, pretty please, giving my 104th donation in Feb, and I still hate needles!
Jim C. Hines
January 11, 2017 @ 1:12 pm
Joolz – I think 104 donations more than earns you an honorary Hellspark membership!
Daphne B
January 11, 2017 @ 2:31 pm
I always wanted to read this book — what a generous donation! I can’t give blood right now for health reasons, but thanks to those who do.
Sharon O
January 11, 2017 @ 5:40 pm
Austalian here. I’m donating plasma on Saturday.
Adrian Jones
January 12, 2017 @ 11:46 am
I’m in the UK too, but a long way behind Joolz’s total. Next Wednesday is my 10th armful.
Stephanie Kuersten
January 12, 2017 @ 2:36 pm
I’d love to donate blood, but since I have a habit of fainting after simple blood draws in addition to my strong dislike/near-fear of needles, my doctor advised I not donate. But I’ve been getting progressively better about the fainting (it takes more time between end of blood draw and moment of fainting), so hopefully one day, in the not-so-distant future, I will be able to donate as well.
Jim C. Hines
January 12, 2017 @ 2:41 pm
Stephanie – If you get to that point, sweet! If not, that’s okay too — taking care of yourself and being aware of your body’s limits are *good* things.
Pam
January 12, 2017 @ 8:49 pm
Love this. (Runs off to re-read Hellspark). I will have to figure out the appnthing.
John D. Bell
January 13, 2017 @ 1:12 pm
I used to donate blood regularly (the Red Cross would come onto campus here and set up for a day or two, three times a year). However, when my father passed away from CJD (don’t ask!), I was forbidden from donating any longer. 🙁
Go Team Hellspark!
Sally
January 13, 2017 @ 8:32 pm
I’m not allowed. I used to be too skinny, and then they decided between my various conditions and meds, I probably shouldn’t. The husband used to, but ditto meds.
But I loved Janet’s work and think it’s awesome to honor her this way. Now all I need is a Loch Moose Monster. 🙂
Jim C. Hines
January 24, 2017 @ 4:31 pm
Bill – the Odders have chosen you to win the first copy of Hellspark! I’ll be emailing you momentarily about the details.
Victoria
January 26, 2017 @ 7:23 pm
I just donated blood today! Or at least I tried. Tiny veins and a cold room meant I didn’t manage to drip out enough to be used for transfusions but what they did get will be used for research. (There’s a 20 minute time limit on the draw, it seems.)
Next time I’ll remember to bring some handwarmers and a fuzzy sweater.
Jim C. Hines
January 26, 2017 @ 7:43 pm
Victoria – That sounds unpleasant. Thank you for trying, and I’m glad they’ll be able to use what they got!