Sorry for the multiple postings. I'll do better next time! Toby

I wondered why the blood drive, too. We had them during that year, I used to volunteer. I have often wondered how Dick/Don gets around the blood type and other healthy issues. If he used Don's medical records, including Don's birthday and blood type, then he could possibly be found out at any time. That was all I cam up with about the drive, though.

It's 1962, nobody's keeping tabs on Don's medical records, blood type etc.
Only the army, which he left.
Blood wasn't tested like it is today and there weren't computers to keep up with this information.
When you watch Madmen you have to think like it's 1962 not 2008. It took 3 weeks for a check to make it from where you wrote it to you account, not 3 seconds like today.

I remember, though, that the Red Cross gave out blood donor cards that had a blood type on them to keep in your wallet. Multiple donors were rewarded. I don't think that is the reason for the drive in MM, but every time blood is mentioned it makes me wonder about the details of taking on another person's life.

AIDS was not even on the horizon and even today, I wonder how many people know their own blood type, let alone somebody else's?

There are a number of false clues, red herrings, etc in this show and you never know where they are leading. I agree that it would be very plausible for Don to have contracted something nasty as he seems to be unacquainted with condoms. That would blow his stonewalling I-didn't-do-anything out of the water!

I am not certain they tested for "syphilis" back in that day -- later on, the test was called RPR and pretty much anything could make it 'reactive." - a recent vaccination, a cold/flu you just had were two of the factors that could cause a "reactive" RPR.

Flower - do you really think Don has an STD? I have always felt that if he doesn't that he soon will. No HIV/AIDS of course, but certainly herpes was around (though misdiagnosed frequently as 'nonspecific genital urethritis). We know when he married Betty he had the VDRL test (for syph/gonnorhea) but that was many years ago! You are absolutely correct about the myriad red herrings. Frequently I focus on something (usually medical) because that is my area, but frustratingly the issue is never revisited again! Him having contracted some vile STD would make sense although knowing DON who is SO GOOD at lying - could get caught IN the SACK by Betty with his pants down and give her the old BS line, "....are you going to believe what you see, or what I tell you???". His incredible skill at extemporaneously spinning his web is now being discovered by Betty (we KNEW about it long before she did!)

The blood bank wouldn't show up any surprise pregnancies would it? I wouldn't think so. I think they checked for anemia back then..they do now, at least.

I think the Red Cross blood bank was just a PR move one Sc's part, kind of a necessary evil to make the company look civic minded and caring.

There was more emphasis on how many donors they would get, remember when I think Don suggested people who were reluctant to donate should be offered a dollar?

The Red Cross relied on donors to be honest on their brief questionnaire. There were weight restrictions, age restrictions, and they asked potential donors who were anemic not to donate.
As far as I know, they only screened for blood type and a simple hemoglobin test for suspected anemia. Thta was way before HIV and HBV werewidespread problems. They wouln't be testing for STD's or pregnancy.

Sorry about typos, I tired!

See what I mean...I was trying to say I am tired sheesh...

Looking through one of my mother's trunks today (in an effort to settle her estate), I found some interesting documents. In a trunk that contained many papers, I found a file that contained some medical records surrounding my father's illness preceding his death in 1965. There were several bills and receipts for blood transfusions he received during his hospital stay.

Apparently, at the hospital a Blood Replacement Policy was in place whereby each unit of blood he received was not charged if there was a corresponding donation made in the name of the patient within 31 days. It was emotional to see how many of his friends and fellow Masons donated blood to keep up with his needs. My mother had kept all this documentation showing how his friends showed up to do what they could. After all was said and done, she had to pay for a few units, each of which cost her $2.

Thank you for sharing that greytone. We found WWII ration books when we settled an estate, just as you are doing. It is a difficult task and had many ups and downs emotionally. Seeing a ration book for an 8 month old baby was a real revelation to me.

I say this NOT as an expert of the early 1960s, just as a fan of this writing crew .... remember, the title of this show is Mad Men, not The Drapers. It's first about the world of advertising (& business in general) in that era. So on that note, I'm going to assume blood drives were getting popular in big cities/businesses around that time. Remember Harry mentioning the NY Times blurb if they got 100% participation. That certainly wouldn't merit mention today, at least not in a big city paper!

I'm also wondering if maybe JFK's "service" theme was underway around this time ... and perhaps this ties into that somehow?

Businesses having blood drives were commonplace in the '60s and to a lesser extent, today as well. I remember my dad coming home from his job at Ford a few times a year sporting the band-aid on the inside of his elbow.

In the late 60's my then boyfriend's father worked for J. Walter Thompson...he created that year's slogan for The Red Cross..."Help Us Help"...I wonder what it was in 1962...anyone know?

Does anyone know who Sal mentioned when he asked if they counted as one person? I've watched that part several times but the sound isn't great and I don't recognize the names he's saying.

drapergroupie - sal referred to smith and smith. the two copywriters named smith who were to infuse 'youth' into the SC campaigns (martinsons' coffee). They act somewhat as a single unit.

.....greytone, i didn't know you lost your mother recently.... if that's true, i am so sorry. that is so major. going through the estate things is equally hard. i remember throwing up a lot when i did it for my parents. :(

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