MICHIGAN ATHEISTS TO COUNTER “NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER” WITH BLOOD DONATIONSPositive Life-Saving Action, Not Passive Prayer, Is the MessageWhat will you do on May 1, 2008, the “National Day of Prayer?” If you are an Atheist and do not accept prayer as an answer to human suffering, join us. On May 1st, groups of Atheists in scores of American cities will go to their local Blood Banks to donate blood and sign up for organ-donor programs. We call our blood donation program B.L.O.O.D., an acronym for Benefiting Lives of Others Donations. It’s simple. Here’s what you do: 1) Find your local blood bank by accessing http://www.americanblood.org/ (Bottom left corner, type in your zip code to find your local blood bank.) 2) Tell your local Red Cross Donation Center that you are donating on behalf of the Michigan Atheists Blood drive. Then……………… 3) Report your donation to Michigan Atheists B.L.O.O.D chariman, Chris McLaughlin at ccmclaugh@comcast.net who will report your donation to national B.L.O.O.D4) If you live near the Detroit Metro area, please join Michigan AtheistsWHEN: May 1, 2008TIME: 4:00-6:45pmWHERE: American Red Cross Donation Center, 1605 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 Thanks for your support. For additional information contact, Chris McLaughlin, Michigan Atheists B.L.O.O.D Chairman Ccmclaugh@comcast.netFORWARDED MESSAGE BY:ARLENE-MARIE, Michigan Atheists Affiliate Director(313) 938-5960 amarie@atheists.org http://www.michiganatheists.org/P.O. Box 0025, Allen Park, MI 48101Michigan Atheists is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social and educational organization defending Atheists civil rights and dedicated to the complete and absolute separation of state and church. Action without discussion is dangerous. Discussion without action is futile.

What a great idea…except gays and 1esbians are banned from donating blood. Perhaps they could find another charity that welcomes contributions from everyone.
Alex,
That is definitely one of the more stupid laws related to blood donations. Fortunately the easy way around it is to lie, but that’s not a good idea, nor should anyone ever ask you to lie about something to fundamental to your person.
My girlfriend also can’t give blood because she lived in Poland for 10 years. I guess they’re afraid of giving communism to people.
Communism and Gayness, the two most prevalent and preventable blood-born diseases around.
Can you catch the Polish accent?
Oh man, I forgot about 5/1 and donated on Tuesday. Thanks to those who do save a life and donate next Thursday.
The ban on gay men donating blood is an FDA decision and the Red Cross is on record as opposing it but having to comply with federal regulations. With the new quick testing it should be no problem to simply tag donations from high risk groups (gay men, blacks, etc-) and triple test for HIV which would make the risk of infection statistically zero. I emailed Michigan Atheists and recommended that they accept monetary donations for a different non profit for next year’s charity.
Dave,
I do occasionally imitate her mother’s manner of speaking, but my girlfriend doesn’t have a recognizable accent so I can’t really answer this question…
Alatham
I’m half Polish. I think it’s the polka they fear.
Oh, I don’t want her, you can have her
She’s too fat for me …
Yeah, I give blood every once in a while too. I figure, whenever there is a big drinking holiday coming up, that one of my friends or relatives might get hurt in a DUI crash or something and I might end up saving their life.
QF’s Blog: http://irrationaltheorist.blogspot.com/