Do you give blood?

[FergieTCat]

A supervisor at work "reprimanded" me for not participating in the company blood drive. The few times I've tried to give blood, I've had a bad reaction, and was told not to give blood, and hope I never needed a transfusion.

Do you give blood? If not, why not?

 

[holycow]

I've tried for 2 eagle scout projects and my arm gets a bruise the size of a large cantaloupe...so now I don't any more...

I know its your boss but it really isn't any of their business...what if you had a disease and COULDN"T?!
Holycow

 

[Mom2Em]

I use to... ... I think it is a wonderful thing that doesn't much time, etc... It is so important to have our blood supply up for emergency situations...

I use to... but it is so difficult to get blood from me that the nurses used to fight over who didn't get to do me... LOL... now I am on BP medication and my red count never stays up...

 

[alabamaalan]

I don't give nearly as regularly as I should, but usually twice a year anyway.

I think it was rude and untactful of your supervisor, especially if you have had bad reactions in the past.

A good friend of mine is very charitable will not give blood because of a fear of needles. He's a healthy, athletic guy, but I would not begin to tease or reprimand him because it is a very real fear for him.

 

[Kermit]

I'd like to, but I just can't for several reasons. I'm not healthy enough, and I don't think anyone would really want my blood. While I think that we should all try to do what we can to help people out, it's really none of your supervisor's business. There are a lot of people who simply can't, and they may not want to tell people why that is. Most of the people who know me don't know that I have any health problems because I'd rather not tell them.

 

[debster812]

My big strong burly 'little' brother has a needle phobia. Big Time. He feels like he 'should' give blood, but can't, he can't get himself to lie on that table. So you know what, when his company/organization/whatever has a blood drive, he volunteers. He will bring you OJ, or cookies, get you a magazine, whatever. This is what he does to make himself feel like he is contributing. I am very proud of him, because he is still facing his needle fear, by simply being there.

And...it was super-untactful (is that a real word, or did I make it up?) (tactless is better I think ) of your supervisor to make that comment.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

I had a dilemma this year --- my office blood drive was 2 days after my synagogue blood drive. I gave at the synagogue.

one good thing about the Red Cross -- they ask a million personal questions to determine your eligibillty to donate. all the risk factors. and when you tell them you meet one of those risk factors, they tell you not to donate.


the risk factors -- which include diseases and behaviors -- are the business of the Red Cross because they can't use your blood if it poses a danger to a recipeint.

but those diseases and behaviors are no one else's concern. your boss should not be chastising you for not participating, because in essense he's asking you to reveal information that is none of his business.

but if he doesn't back off, just tell him you have an iron deficiency and you can't donate because you're anemic.

 

[figmentvi]

Yes. Our company has a blood drive twice a year (Dec. & Jun.) and I always give. At the rate I'm going, I may need it back someday

 

[JAP]

I have very small veins and it is difficult to get much blood from me.

Iccck I do not like to give. My DH gives every time they have a drive at his office.

 

[becka]

I wish I could but they won't let me. When I was finally old enough to give blood I gave the first chance I could as a senior in high school but then I had a false positive on their HIV-screening. Apparently the test they use is not all that accurate and gives a lot of false positives. They know this is an issue but it is not worth the extra money or whatever for them to do a different kind of test with fewer false positives.

They sent me some kind of form letter in the mail stating that I had a false positive on their screening test. It was a false positive because once the first postive came up they ran a sample with the more accurate test and it was negative but they still wanted to get more blood from me at the local Red Cross office and have it tested again.

My Mom took me to the local office and explained the situation and showed them the letter. The old bitsies working there got all upset and made this big production (loudly) about having to take a blood sample from a girl with AIDS. It was humiliating. Here I was 17 years old and just trying to do a good thing and this is how I was treated.

I got another letter back from the Red Cross stating that my second sample also had a false positive on the screening test but the accurate test was negative so even though my blood is perfectly good they will not accept any more donations from me. It I donate it will be destroyed immediately.

 

[preshi]

I can't because I recently got a piercing... however... I've given so much blood (for my cancer scare thingy) these last few months... I don't think I would mind giving a little blood when my year after the piercing is up

 

[Wagamama]

I can't give blood....I'm anemic (sp?) and also I get hysterical if anyone comes toward me with a needle.

 

[believe]

I give blood. It took 3 times before they got it right. When giving blood they have to take less than the normal donation, lay me back and turn on the cold vents otherwise I get ready to pass out on them. It took me over 2 years from the first time I gave blood to try again, I was scared of passing out. I had the same reaction the second time...even after I told the person asking questions but she did not tell the individual taking the blood. Third time I spoke to the individual taking the blood, she was surprised I returned. I told her this was their last chance.

 

[DisMNagain]

Yes, have given many many times, too many to keep track of.

And yep....have almost passed out a few times too. LOL Just sit a while longer and sip that juice and it always passes.

I am a universal donor which means that when there's a need in the community, they often call me to donate because my blood type can be given to anyone.


It's such a great feeling to know that something so simple as a little bit of blood can actually save lives! Incredible really.....



what a great thread and topic!

p.s. The volunteering your time idea is a great one for those who can't give! Your supervisor might have promised a quota from his department at the blood bank and is feeling the pressure from that....

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Patti, Donna already has her hands full with the volunteer work she does.


how did the Equity Fights Aids auction go this year, Donna?

 

[RNMOM]

Yes, I have given many times but recently had a dental implant. They used donor bone graft for this and little did I know that is considered a "transplant". I can't give now. I had an appeal in the works but just broke another tooth off and now am beginning another implanted tooth. I will eventually try again to donate.

 

[SideshowBob]

SSB surely understands those that can't, but love to give blood as...

1) Helps men as reduces the IRON level in the body, which women get naturally

2) SSB has AB- blood, rarest blood there is, so I get a COOL special "RARE" tag and sticker .... haha!

3) Just good to know helping others... think that I am near 3 gallon mark at this juncture

 

[DisMNagain]

Briar rose, my volunteer comment was aimed at anyone who is unable to give blood.


I'm sure most people here understood that.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

I thought my blood was highly desired -- I'm O+ -- until I met a guy who's O- --- talk about being a wanted man.

 

[DisMNagain]

SSB...you must have a few special donor pins then?

Might be something for the pin collectors out there! LOL LOL