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Blood Donation
- Thread starter cycocelica
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I'm O positive, which is almost as good as O negative. I can donate to any blood type, but only for RH-positive patients.
I've donated blood over 30 times, and I'm hoping to get to 50 someday. Platelets a few times too. Donating platelets takes longer, but leaves you "perkier" since you don't lose blood volume.
I try to schedule my blood donations every 2 months, because there's a 56-day minimum between donations.
I get all the juice and cookies I like afterwards. I usually drink 3 of those little juices, and have my traditional Fig Newtons.
My blood donations are for anybody who needs them, as opposed to directed donations for a particular person, but just last week I received notice that a casual acquaintance needed blood donors, so I called back to arrange it. Turns out he got so many offers he doesn't need me, at least not yet, so I'll be back at my regular donor center next week.
One time I showed up at the donor center and didn't realize it had been only 55 days since my last donation, not the minimum 56. I thought they would say "close enough", but they said they have to follow the rules. Then a nurse said "Hold on, I have an idea." She went away and came back with a doctor in tow, who told me that directed donations were permitted below the minimum intervals (intended for people helping relatives), so that I could donate it to a particular pediatric patient of his who needed a transfusion that day. I said sure. They keep donations anonymous, but I saw the paperwork upside-down from a distance, and could see that I was donating for a girl named Allison. It shouldn't matter who gets my blood, but it made me particular happy to know that I was helped Allison, whoever she is. I hope she's ok now.
I've donated blood over 30 times, and I'm hoping to get to 50 someday. Platelets a few times too. Donating platelets takes longer, but leaves you "perkier" since you don't lose blood volume.
I try to schedule my blood donations every 2 months, because there's a 56-day minimum between donations.
I get all the juice and cookies I like afterwards. I usually drink 3 of those little juices, and have my traditional Fig Newtons.
My blood donations are for anybody who needs them, as opposed to directed donations for a particular person, but just last week I received notice that a casual acquaintance needed blood donors, so I called back to arrange it. Turns out he got so many offers he doesn't need me, at least not yet, so I'll be back at my regular donor center next week.
One time I showed up at the donor center and didn't realize it had been only 55 days since my last donation, not the minimum 56. I thought they would say "close enough", but they said they have to follow the rules. Then a nurse said "Hold on, I have an idea." She went away and came back with a doctor in tow, who told me that directed donations were permitted below the minimum intervals (intended for people helping relatives), so that I could donate it to a particular pediatric patient of his who needed a transfusion that day. I said sure. They keep donations anonymous, but I saw the paperwork upside-down from a distance, and could see that I was donating for a girl named Allison. It shouldn't matter who gets my blood, but it made me particular happy to know that I was helped Allison, whoever she is. I hope she's ok now.
dvdh
macrumors 6502
Not in about a year . . .
but thanks for the reminder. I'll book an appointment next week.
AB+ btw. The universal recipient and part of a rather small segment of the population.. Kind of limited, though, in terms of who I can donate to.
While I was in university I used to donate regularly as the clinic used to move onto campus three times a year. Unfortunately, the powers that be at the university (Carleton in Ottawa) saw fit to ban Canadian Blood Services from campus because of their questionnaire which screened out high risk activities. However after a couple year hiatus, the powers relented slightly and allowed the Blood Services to park a mobile clinic on campus for a couple days a year. And as far as I know this is still the status quo.
but thanks for the reminder. I'll book an appointment next week.
AB+ btw. The universal recipient and part of a rather small segment of the population.. Kind of limited, though, in terms of who I can donate to.
While I was in university I used to donate regularly as the clinic used to move onto campus three times a year. Unfortunately, the powers that be at the university (Carleton in Ottawa) saw fit to ban Canadian Blood Services from campus because of their questionnaire which screened out high risk activities. However after a couple year hiatus, the powers relented slightly and allowed the Blood Services to park a mobile clinic on campus for a couple days a year. And as far as I know this is still the status quo.
I saw a bloodmobile in Tokyo last October, but an American friend there told me that he tried to donate and they didn't want Americans to donate. It was a few years ago, and policies may have changed since then, but I was surprised that they would rule out foreigners categorically.
macartistkel
macrumors 6502a
I have never donated blood, but of course I have it taken and I hate it--I hate needles and seeing blood makes me SERIOUSLY ill INSTANTLY. I also think if someone doesn't want to donate at work then its their personal choice so any manager should not feel like they have to just by leading--that has nothing to do with their job description. Also the whole idea of a "blood mobile" pulling up outside of a workplace just bothers me for some reason. The same thing with the hearing trailer that comes to my work to test hearing loss (I work at a printing company but I am NEVER out in the plant where it is loud but for some reason I have to get my hearing tested every year there--so annoying. Its NOT a doctors office, ITS WORK (and I work behind a computer all day for one thing) and personally I don't feel as though I should have to do any of this stuff there but again its just my opinion! 🙂
Also my dad used to be a high school principal and the blood people kept hounding him to donate blood...well finally when he got some time one day and he said stick him! His armed seriously had a rash and hurt and he was all worried for awhile that something was wrong and maybe someone had done something wrong. He ended up being fine after several weeks or so but it was ridiculous he was harrassed to give blood!
Also my dad used to be a high school principal and the blood people kept hounding him to donate blood...well finally when he got some time one day and he said stick him! His armed seriously had a rash and hurt and he was all worried for awhile that something was wrong and maybe someone had done something wrong. He ended up being fine after several weeks or so but it was ridiculous he was harrassed to give blood!
Me too. I was afraid to donate for a long time, and when I finally got the nerve to do it, I was sure that fear would raise my blood pressure and they'd disqualify me. But I did OK and it was such a relief to have gotten over my fear.macartistkel said:
Sometimes the icky part (that one moment when they stick you) doesn't hurt at all, which I credit to getting a great nurse. I never watch that part anyway. If I feel the sting, it's only for a second, and it's never as bad as, say, stubbing your toe on the leg of a chair. I figure if I prolong somebody's life, it's worth it. But I also know that donating blood is not for everyone, and that's all the more reason for those of us who can do it to keep up the habit.
Now if could just get over my fear of dropping my keys down an elevator shaft...
cyberddot
macrumors 6502
I donate...but I'm an all too common A positive.
The Red Cross gave me this flashy lil' card that makes me feel like I'm part of an exclusive club, so I have to donate...don't I?
My significant other can't donate because she has low iron...so I feel compelled to donate for the both of us.
The Red Cross gave me this flashy lil' card that makes me feel like I'm part of an exclusive club, so I have to donate...don't I?
My significant other can't donate because she has low iron...so I feel compelled to donate for the both of us.
floriflee
macrumors 68030
I used to donate blood until they came out with the regulation that prevented people who had lived in the UK back in the 80's for more than six months from donating. My dad was stationed over there for a couple of years.
I liked donating as it was a small way I felt I could give back to the community. My right arm also has a very big vein so it was a breeze for the nurses to get the needle in, pump the blood out, and get me my cookies and juice. The whole process usually only took me about 20 minutes. Oh, well....
I liked donating as it was a small way I felt I could give back to the community. My right arm also has a very big vein so it was a breeze for the nurses to get the needle in, pump the blood out, and get me my cookies and juice. The whole process usually only took me about 20 minutes. Oh, well....
I'm well behind my sister's rate. She's donated platelets over 50 times. And a friend of mine has donated platelets hundreds of times to date!
I organized a blood drive and got 30 people to participate. As you can tell, I'm a big supporter of blood donation for those who can do it.
Someday, perhaps, it won't be necessary, when scientists invent a blood substitute that's good enough for emergency and surgical use.
I organized a blood drive and got 30 people to participate. As you can tell, I'm a big supporter of blood donation for those who can do it.
Someday, perhaps, it won't be necessary, when scientists invent a blood substitute that's good enough for emergency and surgical use.
thedude110
macrumors 68020
Doctor Q said:
The veterinarians are way ahead of you ...
Sort of.
Chemically modified bovine hemoglobin for all!
I donated blood this morning 🙂 but there was no parking near the donor center that I went to. 😡 I guess there must have been some kind of special event going on in the area. I had to walk 1/4 mile from where I parked and 1/4 mile back! And it was raining. And uphill both ways! 🙄
When I reported in my pre-donation interview that I had been to Japan, I was asked if I had stayed only in major cities. Apparently if you visited certain areas of the country there is still a concern about malaria.
When I reported in my pre-donation interview that I had been to Japan, I was asked if I had stayed only in major cities. Apparently if you visited certain areas of the country there is still a concern about malaria.
I give pretty regularly.
Usually it's about every 60-something days because of scheduling it and I get sick a lot. (nephew in preschool means that he brings home little kid germs all the time.)
I like showing people all my little trackmarks... but someone thought they were from shooting up. I was offended, to say the least. 🙄
Usually it's about every 60-something days because of scheduling it and I get sick a lot. (nephew in preschool means that he brings home little kid germs all the time.)
I like showing people all my little trackmarks... but someone thought they were from shooting up. I was offended, to say the least. 🙄
d_and_n5000
macrumors 6502a
DaveP
macrumors 6502a
I tried a few years ago and had a really bad experience. I kept clogging up and so the nurse kept wiggling the needle to get it flowing again (which actually wasn't too bad at the time). After the third series of wiggles, she accidently pulled it out a little and I started bleeding out a bit. Well once that happens it's done. But instead of pulling the needle and covering, she immediately applied a lot of pressure, digging the half inserted needle into my arm quite painfully. Needless to say, I got a tremendously large bruise (almost from my elbow to my wrist), and was painfull to use for a good week.
I haven't tried again since...
I haven't tried again since...
Can't give blood because I'm anemic. Like many others have mentioned, I also tend to pass out when I have to get blood drawn, which unfortunately is relatively often because I have to keep getting my iron levels checked.
I also have tiny little veins that are buried deep under the skin, so I go in scared and squeamish to begin with, and then the nurse generally has to do a lot of poking around to find a vein, while I sit there squirming in the chair. A couple of times the person absolutely could not find a vein in my arm and had to resort to other unpleasant locations... top of my hand and underside of my wrist, for example -- ouch! 😱
ND
I also have tiny little veins that are buried deep under the skin, so I go in scared and squeamish to begin with, and then the nurse generally has to do a lot of poking around to find a vein, while I sit there squirming in the chair. A couple of times the person absolutely could not find a vein in my arm and had to resort to other unpleasant locations... top of my hand and underside of my wrist, for example -- ouch! 😱
ND
iGary said:
Yes, I am O negative too.
I used to live across the steet from a blood donation center in college. I donated every 58 days like clock-work. I think I donated a couple of gallons worth during that time. I got a shiny keychain at the 1 gallon mark😀
I was not allowed to donate for a three year period after I went to the Philippines. Some islands there have malaria so I was not allowed to donate for a while.
I don't mind the needle as long as I don't watch them insert it eeeeeeeek. After the needle is in place I'm totally fine.
I'e donated so many times that I have lots of little marks on my arm near the veins due to the needle punctures in the skin. I think it looks like I used to use drugs 🙄
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