Blood Makes Me Queasy. I Give Anyway.

I started giving blood after 9/11. Volunteering at Ground Zero wasn’t really an option unless you had credentials, so donating blood became the next best way to help. That impulse stuck, even though I’ve never been great around blood. I kept going for years.

When I was twelve, a diabetic friend pricked my finger to show me how he tested blood sugar. One tiny drop, and my head was spinning. I stood up too fast, chugged a glass of water (rookie move) and woke up on the bath mat. His family never let me live that one down.

Later, I graduated to platelet donation: a 90-mintue ordeal that involves your blood getting sucked out, spun around like horror-film protein shake, and then returned back to you minus the platelets. The return part feels... weird.

Why give blood? For the Oreos. Do it for the Oreos.

Eventually, I moved back to South Jersey, where platelet centers are hard to find. So now I donate whole blood. It’s quicker, less dramatic, smaller bag, and no blood tubes ebbing and flowing across your lap for 90 minutes. I just stare up at the ceiling for five minutes and think of juice boxes and Oreos.

Why give blood? For the Oreos. Do it for the Oreos.

Booked. Tuesday, July 1 at 2:15 PM. See you at St. Frances Cabrini.

I'll be donating blood at 2:15 PM on Tuesday, July 1 at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Ocean City. If you’re thinking about donating too, why not join me?

Appointments are open from 1 to 6 PM. You can sign up online or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

And afterwards? I have this theory that the best way to replenish red fluids is with more red fluids. So later that evening, I'll be opening a bottle of red on my porch. You are welcome to join me. (No I'm not advertising booze... just the fact that I'll be having a drink at my year-round home, and friends are welcome to join me. All blood donors are friends).

If July 1 in Ocean City doesn't work for you, no worries: Donate blood anywhere in Atlantic or Cape May County between July 1 and July 14, and you can book a two-night stay at Scarborough Inn during that same period with 20% off. Just use promo code JUICEBOXHERO and tell us where and when you donated. And yes, I’m serious about this—I’ll check.

JUICEBOXHERO Promo RECAP:

• 20% off with promo code JUICEBOXHERO

• Two-night minimum stay

• Valid for stays between July 1 and July 14, 2025

• Donate blood in Atlantic or Cape May County between July 1–14

• Join Sne at St. Frances Cabrini, July 1 at 2:15 PM (optional but fun)

• Red wine replenishment for donors only on the porch that evening

Give blood. Eat Oreos. Sit on a porch. Not a bad Tuesday.a