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MacRumors 2016 Blood Drive

Really wish I could, but still here in the UK you can't donate if you are gay and have had sex in the past something like 5 years. It's really backward and it's not like straight people can't get HIV or any other STDs but hey, that's the law. Really appreciate and support all those giving their blood! Thank you!
 
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mateytate said:
Genuine question and purely out of interest (as I think this is a great idea) - I'm English but living in the US for a few years. I used to give blood in the UK but haven't yet since being here.
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Even though I haven't eaten red meat in 20 years I ate a Big Mac in the UK in 1992 so I can never donate blood in the US in case I am a mad cow. If you lived for any significant time in the UK in the 80's and 90's you cannot either.

ianogorman said:
We need synthetic blood. That'll solve everything
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Already exists.
 
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Does the American Red Cross still have archaic guidelines prohibiting blood and plasma donations against British and Irish residents?

Oh, of course they do, why wouldn't they put hysteria over, you know, actual science?
 
Happily straight and donating blood for decades.

I've been denied numerous times for various reasons including travel, medication, and diet, but I gladly defer to the actual medical professionals' decision.

Bonus: my blood screening results include a free cholesterol report, among others. Cheap and easy way to keep tabs on an issue for many, including myself.

Chalk up another pint - donated this morning.

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Thank you all for donating blood and signing up to be on the bone marrow registry!
I was diagnosed with A.L.L. Leukemia 5 years ago this month. I have received THREE Bone Marrow (Stem cell) transplants from two different donors, and received more than 30 units of blood during my treatment. I am very thankful to all the donors that saved my life. You too can save a life! Also, if you are reluctant in signing up on the bone marrow registry, read up on the modern way to donate bone marrow. More than 90% of the matched donors only need to donate stem cells, a much easier process that does not require any drilling into bone. It is a process that is more similar to donating plasma. Fun fact, did you know that you can change blood types if your donor is a different type than you? I'm on my 3rd.

Because of all of my donors, I have been cancer free for more than 3 years!
 
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MacRumors said:
1. If you are eligible, schedule a blood or platelet donation (see FAQ), in May if possible. Register for the bone marrow registry and/or register as an organ donor (see FAQ).
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I wish I could donate but as a survivor of Hairy Cell Leukaemia (diagnosed in 2009), I'm unable to give blood because I had a fair number of blood transfusions during my treatment and the risk of passing on whatever it was that caused the disease to someone else is far too high.

So, to those who are going to donate or who have already donated, thanks.
without people like you you I would not be here today.
:)
 
I am a regular blood doner i Denmark (we have rules only allowing you to donate every 3 month), so i appreciate Macrumors stepping up here and highlight the importance of donating no matter were you are.
Remember to take a stand on how you organs can be used after your death
 
KALLT said:
True. But the question is whether this discrimination is justifiable. If the facts have not changed (hence my question earlier), then it is still the case that men who have had sex with men are excluded, because they are considered a risk group. It certainly is discrimination, but if it happens for a specific reason that is directly related to what you are trying to achieve, namely collecting as much healthy blood as possible, then I think that it is justified. Given that there just is no reliable and cost-effective way to detect STIs at the point when you are giving blood and that men who have sex with men have a higher chance to get certain STIs, particularly HIV, then the cost/benefits may favour exclusion. I cannot say whether the facts are still true or whether it has changed, but that was the main reason. I was rejected multiple times for similar reasons, due to travelling to areas where the risk of infection was higher. I really do not feel being treated unfairly, I understand that it is not personal or political.
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LOL, still trying to go with logic and reasoning.
+1 for effort!
 
bpp85 said:
I know that this is a sensitive issue, but you have to understand that this rules are here for a reason. Certain lifestyles have greater risks so they are excluded from donating.
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Being gay is not a 'lifestyle', nor is it indicative of health, the practising of safe sex or an indicator of disease or infection. The exclusion of gay man who have had sex in the last twelve months is discrimination.
 
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nelmat said:
Being gay is not a 'lifestyle', nor is it indicative of health, the practising of safe sex or an indicator of disease or infection. The exclusion of gay man who have had sex in the last twelve months is discrimination.
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Lifestyle is not the best word but certain behaviors have greater risks and when it comes to blood transfusions extra precautions are necessary. That's what this rules are. Do you think that the fact that I had to wait 1 year when I got a tattoo to donate blood is discrimination against people with tattoos?
 
nelmat said:
Being gay is not a 'lifestyle', nor is it indicative of health, the practising of safe sex or an indicator of disease or infection. The exclusion of gay man who have had sex in the last twelve months is discrimination.
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The word ‘lifestyle’ was not a good choice. But the gist of their statement was nevertheless true, namely that the risk factor is the guiding reason for excluding certain people from donating blood. There are lots of groups that are excluded because of this, not just men who have sex with men. You are statistically more likely to have HIV if you have sex with men. That is all. They do not even get to the stage of asking more questions, because excluding an entire group is more effective and the costs (i.e. refusing good donors and getting less donor blood) are deemed acceptable.
 
Thanks to everyone who have donated or have demonstrated interest!

I will expand upon the blurb posted on the main page.

When I was 4 years old I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). ALL is the most common cancer in children and today is one of the most treatable. 40-50 years I received multiple rounds of chemotherapy and multiple blood transfusions to treat the anemia caused by the disease and chemo drugs.

I was young at the time and don't remember much, but I distinctly remember at my first transfusion the nurse telling me someone had donated blood to help me get better, and that I'd have to thank them. I of course can never find out who these altruistic donors were, so the best I can do is thank everyone that has donated. More than 2 decades later I am living healthy, happy, and productive life. I work in healthcare and hope to continue improving the health of others.

I grateful everyone who has donated blood in the past and encourage those able to keep giving. If you haven't donated before, please give it a shot (no pun intended).

Due to my past history of cancer, I am ineligible to donate blood. I encourage everyone able to donate because you can. The "Donate Blood, Save a Life" speil repeated over and over my lose its luster, but I will reiterate you can SAVE A LIFE.

For those unable to donate do your sexuality, I empathize. Until the guidelines change, I encourage you to find other ways to donate/volunteer for causes close to you. Thank you for your interest and desire to donate!

For those who can donate, please look into using a blood donation reminder app, such as the American Red Cross App (available free in the iTunes Store) to remind and schedule your donation.

I will be donating money to the American Red Cross in appreciation for all those who have donated blood this month as part of the MacRumors Blood Drive.

I encourage all eligible to donate blood for me and all the others ineligible of donating!

Thanks,
A.G.
 
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John Mcgregor said:
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
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I thinks this type of posts it should read something like:

Note: Due to the egotistical nature of some individuals, and their inherent need of calling all attention to themselves, this article about helping others will not allow comments in order to keep this thread from derailing to a turd slinging contest between people who need to draw attention to themselves and people with more time on their hands than sense to just let the other party whine freely.

PS: Yes, I can see the irony in posting this. But hey, crime is currently at an all time low here in Queens.

P-PS: Yay for people who donate blood and everyone else involved in the process. Go medicine!
 
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I would support the blood drive, but unfortunately I just donated on the 29th of April, and am not eligible again until 25 June, so I can't donate in your window. I do donate as often as I can (I'm O- and CMV-, so I'm pretty much the universal donor), but no credit with you I reckon. Sorry! I encourage all others to donate if possible, however.
 
MacRumors said:



MacRumors is pleased to announce the Seventh Annual MacRumors Blood Drive, throughout the month of May 2016. Our goal every year is to save lives by increasing the number of life-saving blood and platelet donations. While most blood drives are specific to a geographic location, our blood drive is online and worldwide. To date we have recorded donations of over 300 units of blood and platelets.

blood_drive_2016-800x336.jpg

Led by CEO Tim Cook, Apple supports health, relief, and charity efforts, including the recent Apps for Earth promotion. The MacRumors Blood Drive is run by the staff and volunteers of MacRumors.

We ask that you:

1. Donate blood or platelets at any donation center near you, join the bone marrow registry in your country, and sign up for the organ donor registry in your state, province, or country.

2. Post in the MacRumors 2016 Blood Drive! thread to tell us about it and to accept our thanks.

3. Share our message with other people you know.

For details see the MacRumors 2016 Blood Drive! thread and our traditional Honor Roll of donors.

first_blood_donor_2016.jpg

There are many reasons that you should participate in the MacRumors Blood Drive. Consider what some of our forum members have said:

User A.Goldberg:User TheBean75:User I14:How to participate

1. If you are eligible, schedule a blood or platelet donation (see FAQ), in May if possible. Register for the bone marrow registry and/or register as an organ donor (see FAQ).

2. If you aren't eligible to donate blood for reasons of health, age, height/weight, recent donation, or the temporary deferral for gay men that applies in many countries, please encourage someone else to make a donation, and let us know. The U.S. FDA has revised the rules since last year; see our Blood donor eligibility forum thread.

3. Help our drive by thanking donors and convincing friends and relatives to donate as well.

Article Link: MacRumors 2016 Blood Drive
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[doublepost=1462202432][/doublepost]Donated platelets and red blood cells on April 29.
 
SpiderDude said:
I thinks this type of posts it should read something like:

Note: Due to the egotistical nature of some individuals, and their inherent need of calling all attention to themselves, this article about helping others will not allow comments in order to keep this thread from derailing to a turd slinging contest between people who need to draw attention to themselves and people with more time on their hands than sense to just let the other party whine freely.

PS: Yes, I can see the irony in posting this. But hey, crime is currently at an all time low here in Queens.

P-PS: Yay for people who donate blood and everyone else involved in the process. Go medicine!
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Sees the irony, follows through with the comment anyway. Back at square one. And note in case you didn't, that this post is in the regular discussion forum and not PRSI. The user you quoted was making a joke.
 
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