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Hooray! Just got back from accompanying Gene to the blood bank. For the first time in ten years, he left some behind and feels good about helping others. The only reason I went along was for support this first time. >From now on, he will make the trip by himself for as long as he wants to. For the purposes of update: A couple of months ago I learned from this list that several of you were donating blood. As you may recall, I was surprised but also encouraged to learn this fact. Especially since Gene had been told by our local blood bank his blood could no longer be accepted due to PK. At the time, it was a definite blow to his ego because he took great pride in being a donor. At first, it became quite a struggle getting the policy changed. We were told that even though the Red Cross allows PK patients to donate, they didn't have such loose policies and that they particularly prided themselves on being "stricter and better" with their rules in safeguarding the public's general welfare than the Red Cros. Also, we had to deal with a woman director who was "hell on wheels" (obviously pre-menopausal)...;) to reason with. But it was when she told Gene that no amount of pressure would get the policy changed any sooner that Gene seemed to become depressed and so elected to stop discussing it with him. At one point, Gene and I suddenly appeared on their doorstep so that they could see him in the flesh After a couple more rather heated confrontations between the director and myself, she eventually apologized (blew it off by saying it was the pressure of her position). A week later, "lo and behold" their board of directors voted to change their policy. Isn't it amazing what questioning authority can do! Once again, thanks for your insight and encouragement. Regards, Clara Nistler Gene Nistler 63/10