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MacRumors Blood Drive
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
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Funny how I can sit through some pretty gory horror movies, but really got queasy when they drew a few vials for a blood/cholesterol test.
Maybe I can get into a fistfight and give blood through my nose?
Maybe I can get into a fistfight and give blood through my nose?
Other organizations also subscribe to the same pseudo science that the Red Cross does:
http://www.aabb.org/Content/Donate_Blood/Blood_Donation_FAQs/
Those who may be deferred include:
- Anyone who spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996
- Anyone who has spent five years in Europe from 1980 to the present.
http://www.americasblood.org/go.cfm?do=Page.View&pid=2
Will travel abroad make me ineligible to donate blood?
Travel to certain countries may prevent you from donating blood. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict policies in place to prevent the theoretical risk of spreading mad cow disease in the blood supply. Check with your blood center if you have questions about these common travel-related deferrals:
- United Kingdom
(Total three months or more, 1980-1996)
Indefinite - Rest of Europe
(Total five years or more between 1980-present)
Indefinite
I could be wrong but I think it is because of the 2 weeks it takes for a conclusive HIV result and the first pass result is "statistically" sufficient for the less at-risk populations.
There are still plenty of examples of blood transmitted disease despite current screening. Just a small percentage of the overall number.
Rocketman
Well, this site wouldn't particularly be a good place to recruit more blood donations, from, say, Rotarians.
Another one who doesn't bother read the thread he's responding to...
Hysteria triumphs over science. Fine, but then don't whine about blood shortages.
I didn't imply otherwise. I simply said there was a reason (beyond basic trolling) for the negative votes for this story. I realize it catches some people off guard, but apparently the Red Cross love fest isn't universal.
Slippery slope.
Hysteria triumphs over science. Fine, but then don't whine about blood shortages.
Hmmm... I donated just before I left for africa a few years ago... I guess I should check with CBS to see if I can donate again yet.
What evidence do you have that hysteria is trumping science? Statistically speaking, the probability is higher that a male homosexual donor, a person with multiple sexual partners, a prostitite, a drug user, or a donor who lived an an area where HIV is endemic will have HIV. Since the sensitivity of the HIV test is not 100%, and because there can also be a delay between exposure and positive test results, the risk of HIV transmission from donors in these populations is, by definition, higher. This is no comment on the suitability of individual donors, just an application of epidemiology and statistical probability.
In Canada, the Red Cross no longer supplies blood due to its past failure to pay attention to/alleged covering up of information that showed that recipients were potentially at risk and that some patients had been infected as a result of transfusions. To some extent, these agencies are attempting to mitigate the risk of legal action being taken against them, much in the same way as some insurance companies decline to insure some patients due to their demographics and previous history. Certainly far from perfect, but each organization must decide which risks it is prepared to take.
The FDA moves slowly and it's a valid concern that the eligibility requirements are out of date. Policies should be based on current statistics, for the good of everyone involved.
In the meantime, we can encourage people who are themselves excluded to pass the word to those who are eligible.
Here you go, at least with respect to HIV. http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/FastFacts-MSM-FINAL508COMP.pdf. Can't comment on the UK travel restrictions, however, because I haven't seen the evidence supporting them.
Agreed.
S J has my blood
Stevie J. Wonder has all my money so why not give some blood to MacRumors. Blood is all I have.
Stevie J. Wonder has all my money so why not give some blood to MacRumors. Blood is all I have.
Cartoon
Couple of vampires hiding in a dark alley rubbing their hands with glee.
Outside the alley a sign on sidewalk:
"Blood donors needed!"
Couple of vampires hiding in a dark alley rubbing their hands with glee.
Outside the alley a sign on sidewalk:
"Blood donors needed!"
Thanks, guys - please donate!
I have a blood plasma cancer and would die without blood transfusions. I have huge respect for the people whose blood donations are saving my life. Please donate -- you are saving lives with this.
I have a blood plasma cancer and would die without blood transfusions. I have huge respect for the people whose blood donations are saving my life. Please donate -- you are saving lives with this.
I used to donate platelets and blood regularly, but an illness that can be treated but not cured prevents me from donating ever again showed up. Sucks because I loved the fact that I knew I was helping save a random life. I helped my cousin by donating when he had leukemia. I always requested MD Anderson give my blood to children, but I don't know if they followed through with those requests. Either way, you are doing an amazing thing helping people by donating.
I fully support this drive. Unfortunately given my medical history our health service (rightfully, to be fair) won't take my blood or organs any more (save for further testing).
I can't stress how important it is for people to give blood though. I used to lie about my age as a teenager to give blood. *le sigh*
I can't stress how important it is for people to give blood though. I used to lie about my age as a teenager to give blood. *le sigh*
What the **** does any of that have to do with whether people lived in the UK for more than three months? Or whether they lived in continental Europe for five years?
You are so busy carrying on your argument with yourself that you aren't even clued into what the actual discussion is about. Maybe if they banned narcissists from donating blood you'd at least have a reason to pay attention?
Where do u get your statistics, I am not saying that there are not male whores, but come on Str8 people sleep around just as much if not more. Example one of my friends She is str8 and has been with too many guys to count in the last 3 months, but yet she can donate with 10 plus sexual partners. So Me and my partner who have been together for over 10 years, cant donate. I have more gay couples that have been together longer than most married couples. 40+ years. And please dont pick a Christian research group that will make the results what ever they want to make the "Gay community look bad.
Well I donated to the Red Cross at the beginning of February but wasn't able to donate at the last drive because of the 56 days required between donations. However, I've been signed up for donating to my company (genetic toxicology studies) and was able to donate a week ago.
While Red Cross takes a pint, my company takes 10 mL vials and pays us $10 for each. I donated 27 this last time. Not a bad addition to my paycheck for helping move medications to market.
While Red Cross takes a pint, my company takes 10 mL vials and pays us $10 for each. I donated 27 this last time. Not a bad addition to my paycheck for helping move medications to market.