For quite a few years I have been giving blood since it is both a great way to help other people and also is a healthy thing to do for oneself. Although I don’t have a rare blood type, I was told by one of the nurses that the majority of us have many of the same diseases or sicknesses when we are young. For example, measles and small pox and others. Apparently there is one that I didn’t have, whose name I have forgotten, and because of that my blood is used for both pregnant women and babies. One day after giving blood I was asked if I would like to give blood platelettes instead. This process takes the blood platelettes, which are used for clotting, and the rest of the blood is returned in the process. The process takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending on how much is given. Since the rest of the blood is returned, one can do this every two weeks instead of every eight weeks when giving blood. I have been doing that for the last couple of years. The blood platelettes only last up to five days so the blood bank is always keeping in contact with myself and the other people that also give the blood platelettes. When one does give the blood platelettes the area where it is done is a little more private than the general blood donor room and you have your own private TV and a huge selection of DVD’s. It is a nice way of helping out others and also a nice way to take a break in the day.