Blood donations

[Spinning]

Just wanted to remind everyone the blood supply is very lower so please think about giving blood. OR even better donating platelets.

 

[disneysteve]

Absolutely. You can call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) to find a donation site near you.

Unfortunately, I can't donate until April 2006 because of the cruise we took this year. They flag you for a year if you traveled to a malaria zone.

 

[btass]

Just wanted to remind everyone the blood supply is very lower so please think about giving blood. OR even better donating platelets.

I have donated blood but I have never heard of donating platelets. How do you do that?

 

[ducklite]

Absolutely. You can call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) to find a donation site near you.

Unfortunately, I can't donate until April 2006 because of the cruise we took this year. They flag you for a year if you traveled to a malaria zone.

Yup! My husband isn't going to Tulum with us because he doens't want to be restricted from giving. He's a universal donor with some sort of rare marker, he gives like clockwork, and something in his blood is actualy tagged for a particular cancer victim each time.

Regretfully I can't donate as my BP is so low they can't even get the test drops out of my fingers, and I've had veins collapse several times, and I'm borderline anemic.

Anne

 

[Galahad]

I'll second that. And the supply is short all over the country and has been for a while. Roll up that sleeve!

 

[ducklite]

I have donated blood but I have never heard of donating platelets. How do you do that?

They hook you up to a machine that takes your blood, removes the platlets and then puts the plasma back into you. You can donate platelets every ten (?) days.

Anne

 

[btass]

Ok, the procedure sounds like it would hurt to me, does it? or is it just like giving blood a needle prick and that's it?

 

[btass]

BTW - Ducklite, I like your signature. It's times like this that I wish I had become a RN rather than what I am doing now.

 

[Spinning]

donating plates:
here is my version....it takes about 2 hours. They insert one needle in your one arm to remove the blood. Then it spins through a machine and they remove a certain number of platelets and sometimes plasma (you must ok the plasma removal and can't do it each time) then the blood is returned to your body in the other arm. If you donate platelets on a mobil bus they have a one arm system too. Must say that I didn't care for at all but would do it now in a heart beat if the bus was near me.
One nice thing about donating platelets you can donate again very quickly, ever 2 weeks if needed. Also depending on your platelet volume you can help many people with one donation. I am a platelet cash cow, finally this body is good for something! I have enough platelets with one donation for 2 almost 3 people!
You also get to watch a movie and the people are soooooo nice! They really get to know you. It is a pleasant experience if you can call being stuck pleasant. But such a good thing to do.
here is a link about actual platelet donations:
http://www.givelife2.org/donor/apheresis.asp

 

[candykisses]

We had a blood drive at work this morning. When they saw that I donate platelets they asked that I schedule an appointment to do that instead.

I have an appointment for Saturday morning.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I know what you mean. They love my blood since I'm O-, but I've been anemic for the past year. I know they'd love to see me....
Kim

 

[bajanswife]

I wish I could - I have great veins and the blood comes out so quickly! Unfortunately, I'm constrained by my location. Our blood bank is always grateful for blood, so maybe I'll go donate anyway, even though no-one injured in Katrina will benefit - at least SOMEONE will.

 

[mickeyboat]

I am O- too, they love to see me coming. I donate regularly at our local hospital. I can make an appointment when it is convenient to me, and I don't have to stand in the blood drive cattle call. They call me when I am eligible to donate.

Denae

 

[debster812]

DH is like Spinning--donates platelets about once every 3 weeks. And like ducklite's DH he is a universal doner, but with something that makes his platelets VERY popular. And he's got a ton of them.

He went yesterday to do a platelet donation, and will be back again on the 13th.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Just got back from donating. The location I normally go to said they've been pretty busy today.

 

[MelanieC]

I have my appointment next week on 9/7/05. I give at work and we are on a schedule. I'm B Neg, so its usually needed pretty bad. Keep giving everyone!!