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For those who donated blood,

How did you feel physically during/after the donation? I think what drives people away from donating blood is what they might feel during/after the donation. At least, that's what's kind of kept me from donating.
 
For those who donated blood,

How did you feel physically during/after the donation? I think what drives people away from donating blood is what they might feel during/after the donation. At least, that's what's kind of kept me from donating.

Before my very first blood donation: nervous
During my very first blood donation: no discomfort after the quick jab
After my very first blood donation: no after-effects

Before my routine donations since then: no issues
During my routine donations since then: no discomfort after the quick jab
After my routine donations since then: no after-effects

The only complication I've had after a donation is when the bandage is stuck to hairs on my arm.
 
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For those who donated blood,

How did you feel physically during/after the donation? I think what drives people away from donating blood is what they might feel during/after the donation. At least, that's what's kind of kept me from donating.

A little nervous about the needle the first time, which was for whole blood. I got along with everyone really well and that helped ease any tension. I donate platelets now which means I can do it a couple times a month if I have the time. I've tried to encourage others to donate, but the objections run the gamut from squeamishness about the procedure, fear of pain, fear of incompetence on the part of the staff and just flat out don't have the time. I've never had any post donation symptoms to complain of. Maybe a little dehydrated, but I always bring a water bottle and they always have drinks to offer. No beer though, not anymore:(
 
The only complication I've had after a donation is when the bandage is stuck to hairs on my arm.
Can confirm, even as a girl, taking that medical tape off a few hours later is the worst! Other than that, donation is basically painless. I would give blood 100 times rather than stub my toe once. And you get treats afterward!
 
My final donation in the 200s for MacRumours blood drive. Two units of platelets on Thursday, 26 May at Canadian Blood Services, in Toronto. Next, year, I should be in the low 300s.
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Final Tally

The month of the MacRumors 2016 Blood Drive has ended, although anyone with a June blood or platelet donation appointment is encouraged to tell us about it.

We encourage eligible people to donate blood and platelets at any time of year, to spread the word about how important it is, to sign up for the organ donor registry and bone marrow registry if you haven't already done so, and to encourage others to do the same.

Blood Drive totals:

Blood: 49 donors, 50 donations, 50 units

Platelets: 5 donors, 8 donations, 15 units

Plasma: 1 donor, 1 donation, 1 unit

Totals: 53 donors, 57 donations, 66 units

2 new organ donor signups

1 new bone marrow registration​

Thanks and congratulations to the forum members on our Honor Roll:

7thson, aardwolf, ajlei, AngerDanger, barbu, Bazooka-joe, bunnspecial, ClarkQ, Doctor Q, dotnet, fullstop102, G4-power, hallux, hofer, Humanosaurus, JamesMike, larrylaffer, Mercifull, Munchio, nickmcpherson97, PJM83, probabilistic, Ray Brady, rcappo, roboclint, spazzcat, SteveLazarus, T Coma, tacomahunter, Timelordprime
and to all other blood, platelet, and plasma donors!

Cumulative

In 7 years the MacRumors Blood Drives have recorded donations of 389 units of blood and platelets and plasma (245 blood + 137 platelets + 7 plasma) in 296 donations by 201 distinct donors. 45 of them donated more than once. We have recorded 7 new signups for the organ donor registry and 3 new signups for the bone marrow registry. We've heard from many forum members whose lives were affected by blood, platelet, or bone marrow donations.

Special mention to G4-power for participating in all 7 MacRumors Blood Drives, Timelordprime for the most recorded donations (10), JamesMike for the largest group donations (40 total), spillproof and family for the highest total units of blood (8), and 7thson for the highest total units of platelets (20).

Thanks everyone! Keep donating, and plan ahead for next year's MacRumors Blood Drive in May 2017!
 
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Final Tally

The month of the MacRumors 2016 Blood Drive has ended, although anyone with a June blood or platelet donation appointment is encouraged to tell us about it.

We encourage eligible people to donate blood and platelets at any time of year, to spread the word about how important it is, to sign up for the organ donor registry and bone marrow registry if you haven't already done so, and to encourage others to do the same.

Blood Drive totals:

Blood: 45 donors, 45 donations, 45 units

Platelets: 5 donors, 8 donations, 13 units

Plasma: 1 donor, 1 donation, 1 unit

Totals: 49 donors, 52 donations, 59 units

2 new organ donor signups

1 new bone marrow registration​

Thanks and congratulations to the forum members on our Honor Roll:

7thson, aardwolf, ajlei, AngerDanger, barbu, Bazooka-joe, bunnspecial, ClarkQ, Doctor Q, dotnet, G4-power, hallux, hofer, Humanosaurus, JamesMike, larrylaffer, Mercifull, Munchio, nickmcpherson97, PJM83, probabilistic, Ray Brady, rcappo, roboclint, spazzcat, SteveLazarus, T Coma, tacomahunter, Timelordprime
and to all other blood, platelet, and plasma donors!

Cumulative

In 7 years the MacRumors Blood Drives have recorded donations of 377 units of blood and platelets and plasma (240 blood + 131 platelets + 6 plasma) in 294 donations by 201 distinct donors. 44 of them donated more than once. We have recorded 7 new signups for the organ donor registry and 3 new signups for the bone marrow registry. We've heard from many forum members whose lives were affected by blood, platelet, or bone marrow donations.

Special mention to G4-power for participating in all 7 MacRumors Blood Drives, Timelordprime for the most recorded donations (10), JamesMike for the largest group donations (40 total), spillproof and family for the highest total units of blood (8), and 7thson for the highest total units of platelets (20).

Thanks everyone! Keep donating, and plan ahead for next year's MacRumors Blood Drive in May 2017!
Well done, and thank you to all you life savers. Keep up the good work.
 
I got a call from the Red Cross on Tuesday(5/31) at about 2:00 in the afternoon begging me to come in and donate platelets as they were short.

I set up an appointment for 4:30, but unfortunately I was a bit dehydrated and my notoriously shy veins(under the best of conditions) caused trouble. They started me, but had to stop before the first cycle because(apparently) it had popped out of the vein they found.

BTW, apparently my last platelet donation(that I reported earlier in this thread) was 3 units, and they reported that my blood count was good enough that they could reliably get that as long as I didn't mind waiting(I don't).

I was just sorry that I wasn't able to help that day. I'm going to try again next week.
 
Thanks for the tally, Doctor Q. Considering those numbers encompass only one month every year, those are quite good.

As for how mine went? Quite well. As I noted in my post, I was forced to donate from my right arm as the tech didn't like his options on my left where I usually donate. My arm actually felt better than my left usually does post-donation and peeling the tape off my arm later that night wasn't so bad. My biggest issue is that I don't much care for getting stuck by needles but I've become accustomed to it.
 
We've updated the Honor Roll and the Final Tally statistics above based on the recent donations reported above.

I wasn't eligible until today.
You're new to the MacRumors blood drive but obviously a regular donor. That's great.
Just gave an hour ago.
We're glad to see you again. This is your fifth year of participation in the MacRumors blood drive.

bunnspecial: Good luck with your next appointment.
 
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