Blood Doner? Inspired by DanceBabe16

[Virgo10]

Just wondering how many blood doners we have here. The first time I donated was when my mother nearly died from a bleeding ulcer. It was an in the hospital donation and the nurse had a terrible time finding a vein.

After that I always donated through the Red Cross and the nurses there are awesome! Except for one time when I nearly passed out at a restaurant we went to after I gave, every time was a breeze. It just makes you feel so good!

Roberta

 

[olena]

They don't want my blood. I used to volunteer at drives though.....

 

[Pooh67_68]

I use to donate, but no longer can.

 

[Mimi Q]

I donated one gallon of blood, then I was advised to stop donating because I only had one good vein.

 

[goofy4tink]

They love my blood....O neg. Great veins too. They're always sticking stuff into me!!

 

[tkd lisa]

I used to donate regularly. I have A- blood, which is one of the more rare types. However, my DH was found to have Hepatitis C about 10 years ago. He's been treated, and is currently virus free. When he was first diagnosed, I continued to donate, always checking yes to the question that asks if you have intimate contact with a hepatitus patient, then explaining to the staff what he had, and how it was being treated. After about 2 years of this practice, the Red Cross called me in a panic saying that I shouldn't donate any more. They also wanted to know if I wanted counseling??? Since we had gone to the dr together to understand the disease, I didn't know what the Red Cross was going to tell me that the dr hadn't. But it's certainly their right to refuse blood.

Anyway, I can no longer donate.

 

[KelNottAt]

I used to to donate at every opportunity and got my 10 gallon pin years ago. I even donated platelets about 10 times.

Then, after my last platelet donation (1996) my samples received a false positive on one of the many disease screenings. The Red Cross sent me a nice letter to let me know that they re-screened my sample more than once under stricter, better, testing and it came back with a definite negative multiple times. Good news for me, no disease whatsoever.

Nonetheless, the letter went on to say that because of this one false positive (out of dozens of donations) I may never donate blood products to the ARC again. They said if they ever change their policy they'll let me know.

I was heartbroken. My rational mind knows the Red Cross must tightly control its blood supply. But, my emotional mind thinks they've overreacted. So, now I can't donate blood anymore. Sigh. Rejected.

Kelley

 

[MeanLaureen]

DH Obi-Wan donates as often as they let him. I wish I could but I was told that because of the medicines I've been on, including a chemo med, that I will never be able to donate blood

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would say in the 2-5 gallon range, once for Apheresis.

 

[tar heel]

I feel really bad that I don't, but my veins are so difficult that getting a tube of blood drawn at the doc is a major production. Usually, they end up taking the blood from the vein on top of my hand, which hurts. Each time I have blood drawn I have to remind the staff that my doc's instructions is to only stick me four times, then to come get her. Before that, I routinely came home with six-eight bruises. Interestingly, my doc used to be a nurse and can usually get my blood with one stick, but in the hand.

 

[nkjzmom]

I donated once in college...but between being pregnant and nursing over the last 10 years I haven't been able to. The one time I wasn't pregnant or nursing, I found out I was a match to donate a kidney to my brother.

After that I swore off needles of any kind! I'd had enough of being poked and prodded! But I'm sure I'll donate blood sometime in the future.

DH goes as often as they'll let him.

 

[Shannon G]

I started donating about 4 years ago, but currently cannot donate because I'm pregnant. Since I nursed DD (now 20 months) and the kids are pretty close together, I didn't get a chance to donate in between my two pregnancies, so it's been quite a while since I've been able to donate. Once I stop nursing this baby, I plan to get back to donating at least a couple of times a year. The Red Cross often calls me when there is a blood drive in our area, or they send me a card in the mail, because I have O+ blood, which most people can accept.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I have never donated, yet. There is a blood drive this Thursday, May 20, at my kids high school. DD is old enough to participate. (DS is too young.) Sarah insisted I go too so I am signed up to donate for the first time this week.

 

[pjlla]

I used to give routinely in my "pre-mom" phase. But haven't had the time lately ( like over the past 9 years!). But DH was giving routinely until he has diagnosed with Myesthenia Gravis. Then he was denied for a while. He just recently got a letter saying that it was an "accepted disease" now and he was okayed to start donating again........................P

 

[browneyes]

I've only given blood once. They have blood drives at my work every now and then (I think next week is the next one), but I've always got a sinus yucky thing going on and never volunteer.

 

[Mishetta]

I cannot donate due to a medical condition, but ever since my dearest Mother was diagnosed (& subsequently died of) Bone Marrow Cancer, my DH decided to ignore his fear of needles & started donating blood. There were a few times my Mom was rushed to the hospital but had to wait nearly 24 hours for blood to be delivered to the hospital because there has been a shortage.

If you've ever had a loved one that has needed blood (life or death matter) as well as platelets, you'll realize how very important it is to donate as often as allowed. Please, please, urge your family members & friends. One pint of blood can help (I believe this is the number) 17 people (due to all the components they can retrieve from a blood donation).

The last couple months of my Mom's life, she was getting a blood infusion every 4 days.

P.S. If you have O- blood, that's the most popular since it's the universal blood. O- can be given to anyone...the only down side is if you have O- that is the ONLY blood you can receive.

 

[helenabear]

I'm unable to give blood. In the past it would come out too slow for them to want to take it. Now I am not eligable to give even if I wanted to try. Stinks since I am O- too

 

[Laura]

I am indefinitely deferred from donating blood because I spent four months in England in 1995.

As soon as they figure out I don't have Kreutzfeld-Jakob and there aren't holes in my brain, I'll be right back in there. I still have my donor card.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

I used to donate regualrly but lately I have been anemic and cannot. Hubby can't and it upsets him but he understands. He lived in Europe for 8 years with the military so

 

[mickeyboat]

I am O- as well and they call me all the time to come in. I donate at our local hospital so I can make an appointment.

However, since I have been dieting, my iron levels are not high enough for me to donate. I will keep trying though, and I'll eat extra spinach before I go.

Denae