Today's blood drive was much better than my first day. Everyone was fairly warm and welcoming. My supervisor for the day was actually friendly and a wealth of knowledge. I think I reminded him of his son. In our conversations, I found out that the chapter that services the south-side of Hampton Roads wasn't established until 1949.

He also showed me their facility in Pembroke Mall that's currently being renovated. Temporarily, they're located in the former S&K Men's Warehouse which isn't a bad thing. Since they're now on the inside of the mall instead of being on the outside - back, they get more walk-ins. Again today I was the canteen volunteer. The greeter was a nice, elderly lady who was a little hard of hearing. I also found out that most of the staff are heavily overworked which might excuse the reception I received the last time I did a blood drive. All of the blood collected today - and every day for that matter, throughout the region, makes its way down to Charlotte, NC to be tested in laboratories wholly owned and operated by the American Red Cross.

Today's last two donors were a tragic story of a father and son who just lost their wife/mother two weeks ago, suddenly and mysteriously. They were there to continue doing what they did as a family - the tradition of donating blood as often as they can.