I started giving blood because I'm O-negative - my whole family is - and that's the blood group that is always in highest demand, since it can be given to anyone. (It has to do with bodies and antibodies, immunities and other little things skittering about in your veins.)

I've continued giving blood because, well, all the advertising slogans are right. Giving blood is an easy way to save a life.

Plus, they give you a milkshake. Well, they gave me one. We used to get corjugal back home, but here it was all milkshakes and muffins. Like a cute little cafe. Except you have to pay in blood.

Today, the finger where they did the prick-test for haemoglobin count hurts more than where they took the blood. Of course, that might be because I keep poking things with the finger, and it's hard to do that with the inside of your elbow.