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MacRumors 2017 Blood Drive

Weaselboy said:
I'm not quite sure how you think this would have anything to do with the US, but I believe (based on previous posts) both those folks made platelet donations. That is a much much more involved process requiring a larger gauge needle, hence the larger bandage.

http://www.redcrossblood.org/plateletFAQ
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Wow -- a platelet donation takes so much time - and both arms! But it wasn't a large needle when I did it - it was actually a lot smaller than the regular donations.

I'd really like to do plasma donations. Although my whole blood is of limited use, AB plasma is the universal donor. It's just a bit of a struggle to do as there are limited sessions here and it takes 3-4 hours.
 
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displaced said:
To be fair, you can still get bandages here if you have an allergy to plasters.

Back when I first started donating, not only did you get bandages, but you also got a local anaesthetic injected before the cannula was inserted!

Not like that now... and I'm sure the cannula's bigger than ever -- it's like a knitting-needle :)
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To be fair you only need a piece of medical cotton and squeeze for a minute then go home without thinking that you did something great, because you haven't.
 
To all of the past donors, THANK YOU!

You saved my son's life, and as a T1 Diabetic, I thought I could not donate blood. I was wrong. Now, I donate when i am up for it, and say a prayer of gratitude for those that did before I did.

He lost approximately 2l of blood (surgeon's report) from a ruptured spleen that he decided to "take a nap", and was near death when his mom got him to the hospital. He went into emergency surgery, had his spleen removed, and has made a full recovery.

As a political aside, at that time (actually always) I did not care whether the people that donated the blood were black, white, woman, man, gay, straight, married, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Chinese, Mexican, or any other factor. All I care about is if the blood is clean. Clean and available for my son. I am grateful it was. So, again, thank you.

Again, thank you.
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Paul Dawkins said:
To be fair you only need a piece of medical cotton and squeeze for a minute then go home without thinking that you did something great, because you haven't.
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Respectfully, if you have donated anything, I think you did something great.
 
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Paul Dawkins said:
To be fair you only need a piece of medical cotton and squeeze for a minute then go home without thinking that you did something great, because you haven't.
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Thank goodness for arbiters of what is "great" stopping donors' egos from over inflating and destroying the world with their donations.
 
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DudeDad said:
The article mentions bone marrow registries....if you are not on one, please think about it. I joined one in 1989 after being tested for a local girl. In 1991, I matched someone and donated in October 1991. My recipient lived nearly 22 more years, getting to see his son grow up, graduate college, get a job, fall in love, and get engaged.

It only takes one to make a difference. Please consider it. If you have any questions about the process, message me.
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Thank you, for registering, for donating your bone marrow and for posting. A BMT transplant saved my life two years ago!
 
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FWIW, I've been told that the large outer wrap is to reduce bruising. I've always been instructed to remove it after one hour. It seems to work as I rarely have a large bruise(unlike when I have blood drawn at the doctor's office).

Under the wrap is just a piece of folded gauze covered by a band-aide.

Someone mentioned two armed platelet donations. My veins are such that I can only donate from my right arm. One arm platelet donation takes a bit longer-about two hours and 15 minutes as opposed to 2 hours for two arm.
 
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Paul Dawkins said:
Only in US of A you need so much bandage after giving blood. Complete bollocks.
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With a greater bandage, you are visually highlighting to others that you gave blood and thus reminding/inspiring others to also do so... Probably not but wouldn't be a bad idea
 
bunnspecial said:
FWIW, I've been told that the large outer wrap is to reduce bruising. I've always been instructed to remove it after one hour. It seems to work as I rarely have a large bruise(unlike when I have blood drawn at the doctor's office).

Under the wrap is just a piece of folded gauze covered by a band-aide.

Someone mentioned two armed platelet donations. My veins are such that I can only donate from my right arm. One arm platelet donation takes a bit longer-about two hours and 15 minutes as opposed to 2 hours for two arm.
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yes, pressure applied to the needle site will prevent bruising. but the bandages shown are excessive and not necessary.

holding a cotton ball over the area for 2-5 minutes, than a band-aid would also achieve the same result
 
Leonard1818 said:
I would probably give blood for almost any other organization. Not MacRumors lol
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This is not a blood drive "for" MacRumors. They are simply encouraging folks who are able and willing to go to whatever local blood bank you have(probably the Red Cross if you're in the US) and give blood/platelets/plasma.

I'm a regular platelet donor, but applaud MacRumors for trying to raise awareness of the constant need for blood products.

BTW, I have been fortunate enough to never need to receive blood. In the last year of his life, my grandfather needed a couple of units of blood every month or so. In a way, my regular donations are a way of giving back for that.

As a side note, leave it to the good folks on MR to sidetrack a discussion about a good thing into a discussion about the fact that they perceive the normal bandage practice in the US to be excessive. I'd encourage anyone who donates in the US and feels the outer wrap is unnecessary to simply ask that it be left off. Aside from the bruising benefits I mentioned, I find that the wrap tends to reduce soreness in my arm after having it strapped down for two and a half hours for blood to be pumped in and out of it. If I'm a wimp or whatever for the fact that I don't mind it, so be it.
 
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bunnspecial said:
This is not a blood drive "for" MacRumors. They are simply encouraging folks who are able and willing to go to whatever local blood bank you have(probably the Red Cross if you're in the US) and give blood/platelets/plasma.

I'm a regular platelet donor, but applaud MacRumors for trying to raise awareness of the constant need for blood products.

BTW, I have been fortunate enough to never need to receive blood. In the last year of his life, my grandfather needed a couple of units of blood every month or so. In a way, my regular donations are a way of giving back for that.

As a side note, leave it to the good folks on MR to sidetrack a discussion about a good thing into a discussion about the fact that they perceive the normal bandage practice in the US to be excessive. I'd encourage anyone who donates in the US and feels the outer wrap is unnecessary to simply ask that it be left off. Aside from the bruising benefits I mentioned, I find that the wrap tends to reduce soreness in my arm after having it strapped down for two and a half hours for blood to be pumped in and out of it. If I'm a wimp or whatever for the fact that I don't mind it, so be it.
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Noble!
 
LordVic said:
there's an odd combination of things. Canadian blood services has a listing of regions and time periods where known outbreaks of certain blood born illnesses had occured. if you travelled in those areas during those times, you may be ineligible for life to donate. There's a comprehensive list available on their website.

For example, I just got home from Caribbean vacation as well, many of those countries are on the Zika list, which also prevents me from donating blood till a certain period of time has elapsed (not sure)

it's a safeguard measure to attempt to limit exposure and risk of these diseases being spread
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Yeah, I'm in the same boat, and also an O Neg. I don't go to the UK often, but I was there for enough time during the mad cow thing back in the early 90s that they still say I can't donate. It seems kind of silly as I went when I was a child and am now a healthy 31 year old. If I hadn't said anything they'd probably never know but I guess the rules are there for a reason.
 
Why do they give donors cookies after donations, as opposed to other types of food? Is the sugar actually helpful, or is it just to reward you?

It wouldn't be very practical if they served you a spinach salad instead, but I'd think that iron-rich food would help your hemoglobin rebuild more quickly. Sunflower seeds are high in iron - would they be a good choice to offer?
 
Weaselboy said:
I'm not quite sure how you think this would have anything to do with the US, but I believe (based on previous posts) both those folks made platelet donations. That is a much much more involved process requiring a larger gauge needle, hence the larger bandage.

http://www.redcrossblood.org/plateletFAQ
Click to expand...

Ah, from the link you cited...
  • A smaller needle is used for a platelet donation compared to a traditional whole blood donation so some donors find it to be more comfortable.
And the process is only marginally more involved for the donor, in that it takes longer and may involve a needle in two arms, although not neccessarily. I've personally done so with one needle, as many others do according to my usual blood bank.

My bandaging is as complex as a bandaid, a bit of gauze and some medical tape. If the photographed bandages are in fact from a blood donation service, I'd say it is a practice decided by the individual office, clueless anti-American Rosbif commentary aside, of course.
 
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T Coma said:
Ah, from the link you cited...
  • A smaller needle is used for a platelet donation compared to a traditional whole blood donation so some donors find it to be more comfortable.
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Thanks. I only did platelet once and it was many years ago, but that thing was definitely larger than the needle used for a regular donation. Perhaps things have changed.
 
Would totally - if I could, but I can't.
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chrono1081 said:
It's only if you've had sex with other men in the past year. Outside of that donations are welcome.

Monogamous relationships mean nothing because there's no way for someone to guarantee their partner isn't cheating.

It's just a simply numbers game, gay men make up roughly 2% - 4% of the population but account for 78% of new HIV infections. They're eliminating the highest risk groups. (I can't google it at work but those numbers are from the CDC website).
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I mean the same logic there is why a huge waste of billions of dollars is being installed on the border...

I'd love to be able to donate but I can't and that's BS. Unfortunately I can't just go in and lie, I've been cursed and my voice kind of gives it away. I mean I've never been able to go so I don't know how any of the process works. But oh well maybe one day I'll feel and be treated like a whole citizen.
 
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zooby said:
Unless he is in a sex-less marriage, he's lying then, which is wrong. I don't agree with this rule, but it's a rule.
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I'd rather he lie and have blood when I need an infusion, than have him tell the truth and not have blood available.

I know more straight people who are HIV positive than gay people, and my circle of friends includes many gays.
 
I just had a scary thought. What if people knew the identities of blood donors, instead of them being anonymous? Can you imagine people insisting that they want blood from donors of a certain race or nationality or religion or political party? If you were having surgery, would you pressure the blood bank to give you blood from an "acceptable" donor? I'm sure that some people would.
 
I14 said:
Thank you, for registering, for donating your bone marrow and for posting. A BMT transplant saved my life two years ago!
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That's awesome! Unrelated or related donor? I actually matched a second person and was wiling to donate, but he was too ill to go through the process. I now have a blood disorder and can no longer be on the registry.

Wishing you all the best!

READERS: See? All it takes is one person to make a difference. Please consider getting on a registry.
 
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