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From a recipient of donated blood

Thanks.

Thanks to having some 20+ pints of blood transfused into me over several months my Hairy Cell Leukaemia is now in remission.
Sadly having recieved a transfusion prohibits me from donating ever again. Before that I'd donated more than 25 times.

So to all those who have donated or are going to in the near future,

Thanks
 
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Thanks.

Thanks to having some 20+ pints of blood transfused into me over several months my Hairy Cell Leukaemia is now in remission.
Sadly having recieved a transfusion prohibits me from donating ever again. Before that I'd donated more than 25 times.

So to all those who have donated or are going to in the near future,

Thanks

Why are you forbidden from donating ever again?
 
Some other people are banned because they are part of a risk group, like ... men who have had sex with men. Often it’s easier to discriminate against a group of people as well if costs/benefits favours exclusion.

It's true. Easier and absolutely ignorant. They're not considering women who've had sex with men who've had sex with men. Ignorant, biased, and scientifically ridiculous BS.
 
Why are you forbidden from donating ever again?

Hairy Cell is a very slow growing/developing type of Leukaemia. Typically 5-7 years. I could be developing it while giving blood to someone else.
But honestly would want to recieve blood from someone who has had Blood Cancer?

These are the rules in the UK. Other countries may well have different ones.
I actually think that they are actually quite sensible.
 
Shame I can't donate, or I would! Even though I'm not sexually active nor have I ever been, I am still deferred for being gay.
 
If you have not joined the bone marrow registry, please do so. It only takes one to make a difference. Just a slogan? Nope. I was the "one" who made a difference. I matched an unrelated leukemia patient in 1991. He was given 5 years; he lived nearly 22 more because of the marrow donation. He got to see his 4 year old son grow up, graduate college, get a job, and get engaged. See? It only takes one. Every person who joins a marrow registry gives all of those looking for matches another chance.

Do it this week. It's easy.
 
Last donation (platelets, plasma - 2 units, three weeks back) gonna have to wait a while for the next donation as they're redecorating the donation centre. Staff there do a fantastic job - one member dashed out to feed a parking meter for me as I'd underestimated the time I'd need - Doh!
 

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They won't let you donate if you have tattoos? That rules out a gazillion potentials!

All depends on what state you get it... I know if you get a tattoo in New Jersey, they let you give blood right away but if you get a tattoo (or piercing) in Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, you have to wait at least 12 months before you can give because artists are not state-regulated.
 
Goal: 2 plateletpheresis donations completed in May

I just completed a plateletpheresis donation on Thursday, 30 April 2015. Means I'm eligible to donate twice in May.
 
I went to donate platelets and was denied for having low iron! Sad getting turned away but I guess this just means I need to change my diet a little.
If you over-prepare for a donation by drinking quite a lot of fluids, that can artificially decrease the % of hemoglobin in your blood, simply because the total fluid volume went up. You might have even passed the test later the same day. But in case you're actually anemic, it's worth finding out for sure.
 
blood_drive_2015.jpg

May is over so the MacRumors 2015 Blood Drive has ended, but the need for donations of blood and platelets continues. We choose one month each year to call attention to donations, but there are people in need every day of the year. Please continue to donate.

Congratulations to the participants in this year's Blood Drive, who donated 61 units of blood and platelets. Since we began holding the annual MacRumors Blood Drive we've recorded donations of 317 units of blood, platelets, and plasma! We've posted a complete breakdown in the Blood Drive thread.

We know there are many anonymous donors in our community, and we thank them, but we offer a special salute to the donors who stepped up to help us publicize the critical need for these acts of charity. See the Blood Drive Honor Roll for a list of this year's donors.

If you are a regular donor, please continue to look for opportunities to donate. If you are an eligible donor who hasn't donated before, consider making your first donation to save some lives. If you aren't eligible to donate, please support and encourage those who can. You are welcome to read and share our information pages:

Thank you!
 
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It's true. Easier and absolutely ignorant. They're not considering women who've had sex with men who've had sex with men. Ignorant, biased, and scientifically ridiculous BS.
I just donated through the Red Cross in the US, and this is one of the questions they asked. Maybe you were the one who got it on the list.

By the way, I also participated in a survey about blood donations a whole ago, and I said that donors shouldn't be excluded for being men who've had sex with other men. So i hope that will help make a change.
 
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I just donated through the Red Cross in the US, and this is one of the questions they asked. Maybe you were the one who got it on the list.

By the way, I also participated in a survey about blood donations a whole ago, and I said that donors shouldn't be excluded for being men who've had sex with other men. So i hope that will help make a change.

Guidelines have changed since my comment to which you replied. There are efforts being made to change the time frame to exclude men who've had sex with men only in the last year.

Which is still ridiculous. If a guy is in a completely monogamous relationship with their husband there is NO risk of ANY blood borne illnesses so it shouldn't matter if they had sex the night before they donate.
 
I have missed these threads completely. Anyway I did my 14th blood donation here in sweden last Wednesday.
 
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