by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer

The beginning of August 2011 was a week of many firsts for me. I took my first plane trip. I went to San Diego for the first time. I ate sushi, took a pedicab ride, and attended my first BlogHer conference. Each experience was incredible, invigorating and inspiring. Since I knew that I was going to fly for the first time I decided that I needed to do another first. I was going to give blood. It was something I have always wanted to do, but either didn't have the time or couldn't because I didn't qualify.

Years ago when I had tried to give blood I found out that you could not give blood during the same year you received a tattoo. That year happened to be the year I got my third piece of body art. Since I hadn't recently had any tat work done, wasn't on medication, and didn't have any health concerns, I decided that giving my first blood donation in the place I would experience many other firsts was fitting. It was very easy to sign up ...

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