BY: LINDSAY IRVIN

I am terrified by knives, needles or anything sharp that can poke, pierce, slice, slit, stab or cut.

Ask my family or friends – or this kid Nathan who, while we were only in third grade, chased me around the school kitchen with a butcher knife. He was only playing, not realizing the danger of the sharp metal he aimed at me, but it still traumatized me enough to instill a fear of pain associated with being sliced and diced.

Recently, a friend of mine in medical school told me about the constant need for blood in North Texas. After learning more, I felt compelled to donate some of my own.

Now, I have felt compelled before, and I have chickened out before, but this time was different. I knew almost instantly that I was going to do it – in spite of my tendency to faint when I get shots.

As the day approached, I became aware that they must prick your finger to test your blood before you donate. This fact was scarier than the thought of watching them stick a needle into my vein.

I’ve had my finger pricked before and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. It felt as if someone had stapled my finger to a desk, and if that was not enough, the phlebotomist then brutally squeezed my fingertip to gather the oozing blood.

I cringe just remembering this. Almost as soon as she began to squeeze my finger, I passed out.

So, armed with the knowledge that this would happen again, I called for support from my fellow editors. I begged someone to come with me for moral support – someone to be there if I got sick or tried to back out. No one volunteered.

Oh, by the way, I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 21 because I was too afraid. My best friend took me to the mall – bought me a margarita – then dragged me down to Claire’s.

Lord knows what I was thinking attempting this donor stunt.

Jan. 23 arrived too soon – I thought I would get over my fear before the day came – but the anxiety was still there as I pulled up out front of the Medical Center of McKinney (where the Carter BloodCare bus was stationed for the day).

I apprehensively reached for the door handle of bus, taking a deep breath and ignoring the frenzied heartbeat in my chest.

As I pulled on the handle, I noticed it wasn’t opening. It didn’t take long for me to realize it was locked nor for the lady inside the bus to turn me away after I knocked and alerted her to my arrival.

I had called ahead and set my appointment for 3 p.m. (supposedly the last time slot available to donors) so I didn’t understand. It turns out I was just late enough (seven minutes late because of a stalled big rig on Central Expressway) to be rejected – and feel dejected.

Now, I am a firm believer in fate and am almost convinced that this was God’s way of keeping me from harm, but who knows? Maybe I should’ve left the office a little earlier. Either way, my adventures in attempted blood donation continue. I plan to try again soon.

The good news is 41 people actually showed up – on time – to give their blood.

Lindsay Irvin can be reached by e-mail at lirvin@neighborsgo.com or call 469-330-5684.

MORE INFO

Want to learn more about donating blood in McKinney? Are you “too scared” to donate, but have always wanted to? Curious what the guidelines are for donors? Need to know when and where to go? Look for my full story in the Feb. 6 issue of McKinney neighborsgo.

Fresh Picks features the top stories posted by our contributors at neighborsgo.com for and about McKinney after the deadline for this Friday’s print edition.

• Medical Society honors doctor with achievement award

• Wilmeth families show support for custodian

• Local father, counselor offers grief support

• McKinney North Winterguard earns trophy

• Spanish, sixth branch begins at local LDS stake

• Garden Column: Pruning roses just in time for Valentines Day

• Kiwanis Club sets date for Pancake Breakfast

• Lovejoy’s ‘Morning with Maria’ previews ‘Sound of Music’ show

The latest stories on neighborsgo.com for the McKinney community - posted after the deadline for the Jan. 23 print edition deadline.

RJ Taylor named conservation director for Connemara Conservancy

Knights of Columbus names Free Throw Contest winners

McKinney North students make All-State Band

Tony Pritchard reads to Anderson Elementary students

Cotton Inc. brings 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' to Stonebriar

Lovejoy High Band student earns All-State designation

Reading Program at Caldwell Elementary a 'best seller'

Faith Lutheran offers music classes for youngsters

McKinney artist debuts photographs at MPAC

Oak Ridge Boys to be featured entertainers at Taste of Collin County

Chamber Music Concert brings international artists to McKinney

Former McKinney-area HS students make UTD Dean’s List

Folk pianist, George Winston performs at MPAC

When I first received the news that Allen Presbyterian, now known as TexasHealthPresbyterianHospital of Allen, was the first hospital in Texas to be named “Baby Friendly,” I ran brief news story about it and moved on.

Texas Health Allen (which I will continue to call Allen Presby for the remainder of this story) is only the 68th hospital in the nation to receive this special designation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

“The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is designed to encourage and acknowledge hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care,” according to Allen Presby’s Web site.

When the news arrived that my niece was to be born there in January, the connection of Allen Presby being a “Baby Friendly” hospital didn’t register.

It didn’t really register until I showed up at the hospital to see my niece for the first time. During the days before Harley was born, my family anxiously awaited her birth with calls, texts, e-mail updates and bated breath.

Finally, at 8:10 a.m. Jan. 15, my stepbrother Chris Mannes and his wife Ciaira welcomed their daughter Harley Jade into the world – 6 pounds, 11 ounces.

Dr. Heather Sloan, who was on call when it came time for Harley to come out via C-section early Thursday morning, safely delivered my niece to her exhausted (still exquisite) mother and proud, wide-eyed father.

Ciaira had attempted to give birth naturally, but after repeated attempts to induce labor through various methods, her doctor gave them the choice to go home and wait or to do a C-section.

“I was not going home,” Ciaira exclaimed. They opted for the C-section.

“It turns out there was a reason she wasn’t coming out,” Ciaira said. “The umbilical cord was around her neck.”

In response to this, I asked my usual blitz of questions, such as: Did the surgery hurt? Was she in pain? Did she cry when she saw the baby for the first time? Was she hungry now? Could I get her anything? Was the staff friendly? Ciaira obliged my reporter routine and answered my inquires thoroughly.

Neither the baby nor her were in any danger throughout the surgery, there was minimal pain, she didn’t cry, she wasn’t hungry…basically all was well.

“God was looking out for her,” Ciaira assured me as she lay peacefully in her hospital suite surrounded by family. “So were the doctors and nurses.”

And I believe her. You don’t get the “Baby Friendly” designation for nothing.

Lindsay Irvin can be reached at lirvin@dallasnews.com or 469-330-5684.

Monday’s holiday remembers Civil Rights hero, reminds us of change

BY LINDSAY IRVIN

For my plans on my day off this week, Jan. 19, I am eager to do something that will honor the “reason for the season” – if you will – Martin Luther King Jr.

His dream for change in our country has lead the way for great improvements in the United States socially, and when I truly stop to think about it – I don’t want to waste my day off cleaning house, running errands or watching my Tivo-ed episodes of House.  Instead, I want to use my time for something better – a change from my norm – I want to make a difference.

What am I going to do? The jury is still out on that one. But here is something you can participate in – in honor of Dr. King.

The 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. McKinney Commemorative Committee will hold a celebration at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 in the McKinney North High School Auditorium,2550 Wilmeth Rd.

The event, “A Vision that Reaches Beyond Color,” will be a community collaboration of song, dance and speeches; admission is free. McKinney’s Jeff Warren, pastor of First Baptist Church McKinney, will conclude the evening.

“This committee is extremely excited about the presenters for this momentous occasion,” committee coordinator Kerry Madison said. “It is truly going to be a reflection of Dr. King’s dream.”

MORE INFO

For more information about the celebration, contact Madison at Kmadison06@aol.com or 972-965-7242.

Lindsay Irvin can be reached at lirvin@neighborsgo.com or 469-3305684.