XWord Muggles Forum

CallMeShane wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:09 pm I asked Isaac for a bottle of his finest red.

He gave me Boone's Farm. Haven't seen that since college.

The ship needs a massive resupply run for the sadly overtaxed bar.

And I need a brain boost.

Secret Adversary wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:17 pm Lots of half-leads but getting nowhere. Would anyone like to chat about nudges?

Thanks!
Secret Adversary

Puzzle mom wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 7:34 pm All right… giving up and asking for a nudge.
This is getting really depressing.

Joe Ross wrote: Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:18 pm It was fantastic to meet a lot of muggles whom I've not yet, in ZOOM, tonight. Thank you!

I am ashore. I will not submit.

(So, when you see that I've won the mug - trying reverse psychology, here - remember that I didn't say that. Please and thank you!)

On the bloodletting front, if I may climb the soap box:

I was honored to have been asked to donate white blood cells this Sunday. In 40 years, this will be my fourth or fifth time allowed to do so. White blood cells are a critical resource for cancer patients and others fighting terrible diseases. In this town, with its amazing Cincinnati Children's Hospital drawing patients from around the world, well over 90% of white blood cells go to children battling cancer.

Due to the amount needed in most therapies and the compromised immune systems of patients needing them, white blood cells are closely matched using HLA factors, not only blood type. Think of organ matching, if not as stringent. To be asked to donate means that the donor is one of a very few people who match the patient and one of a very few who can help them at one of the most important times of their lives.

It's a request that cannot be denied, an offer that cannot be refused, and a treasured privilege to be invited to help another.

The donor effort involved is tiny and much less invasive than when donating whole blood & other blood products, such as platelets & plasma.

So, if you have a challenging time donating or cannot stand the idea of going through the process, consider donating whole blood only once. Your blood will be evaluated & its factors entered in a database. Then, if you're lucky, you might receive the infrequent call to help a young human who is fighting for their life. You will be glad that you made yourself available to help, as will the patient receiving this incredibly valuable gift. You'll be thanked to the point of embarrassment, knowing full-well that you were also given a precious gift.