Do you give blood?

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, also apheresis, for a friend who was having a terrible go of it during chemo.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Nope, I'm boerderline anemic, and my pulse is too quick.


Back before I had my son, I also didn't weigh enough.

 

[iluvorlando]

Great link, Elaine! I just gave blood this month. But it has been years since I have. The first time I ever tried, I passed out. I am O + so I guess I have the most popular blood. (is this a good thing?)

 

[Debi]

I do! My company is holding a blood drive next week, and I'm looking forward to donating. The Red Cross's blood drive always conflicts with my work schedule, so my company holding one works out very well. I'm actually looking forward to this!

 

[kylara]

Not allowed to by Doctors orders. I am guessing the if I tried, the prelim questions asked would disquality me.

 

[C.Ann]

I can't... I don't weigh enough..

Besides, no one would want my blood - it's waaaay too tired..

 

[debster812]

OH, and DH gives platelets as often as they will take him. He's got these big giant veins that 'pop' when you look at them . They have actually used him to train new 'vampires' on, since he is such an easy stick.

I am a hard stick, and I give 3 or 4x a year.

This is a neat thread.

SSB--DH sometimes gets tapped to do a 'double red donation' do they ever pull you to do that? Also helps reduce the iron for men.

 

[goofygirl]

debster, I draw blood as part of my job and I love veins like your DH's!


I tried twice to donate blood, but was told my hematocrit (indictor of iron in the blood) was too low.

I had my blood lab tested through my dr's office later to see if I was ok. Turns out my iron runs low, I'm anemic!

 

[dumboiu]

Information for men....in case anyone is interested...............

Boston, MA. -- Harvard School of Public Health researchers have determined that men in the US who donate blood do reduce iron stores in the body but do not reduce their risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart attack. Iron levels in the body had once been thought to explain the difference in CHD rates among men and women. The study results, the most definitive to date on iron stores and CHD, appeared in the January 2, 2001 issue of Circulation (www.circulationaha.org).

 

[janette]

I tried to yesterday but after they stuck me my blood clotted so they didn't get anything.

The last time I did, the same thing happened but they did get a little, from what they said though if they don't get a certain amount they have to discard it.

My veins are hard to get too, and now with this I don't know if I can face trying again. They said maybe trying to drink lots of water and take an aspirin might help to allow me to donate. I'll probably try at least once more, if the same thing happens I don't think I can do it again. I feel bad, it's always been hard since I've had many medical people miss my veins facing the needles is hard but to be stuck and then not even donate is worse.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I also like to give, but have been turned down a few times
in the past due to colds or low iron levels. And, now since
surgery I'm sure they'll make me wait a year. Of course
since I'm O- they love me too, when I CAN donate.
Kim

 

[Margie J]

First, so sorry you were reprimanded for not giving blood. This should be a totally voluntary thing and many people do not donate for many reasons.

I have donated blood since College and my donations add up to gallons at this point. I have also helped to organize and run blood drives and am on the bone marrow donor list.

Why do I do this? I suppose it is my feeling that it is the least I can do for the many patients who couldn't live without blood or blood products. All my working years have been spent in Hospitals and I now work for a Hematology/Oncology department. The importance of donated blood and marrow is a daily thing. As long as I am healthy and eligible the blood bank can tap me.

 

[BabyLove99]

I would but I don't weigh enough, and I have a HUGE fear of needles and get sick just thinking about them.

 

[jfulcer]

My work has a donation every quarter where the blood center comes in and I donate every time I can. The past two visits I have done the double red donation mentioned by debster812.

The person taking and monitoring my donation was kidding around with some of my co-workers about blood vessel size and blood flow. One lady was described as a 'wide river' with a slow flow, another was a 'small river' with a fast flow. Mine was a wide river with a fast flow. I did a double donation in the same time it took another 'slow flow-er' to do one.

debster812, when I did the last double red donation, they commented that the plasma was clear which supposedly is a good indicator of your cholesterol level. They said if I had bad cholesterol, the plasma would have been cloudy. Did they say anything to your DH? It was interesting.

 

[CookieGVB]

Can I just say that I certainly wouldn't be turned down for not weighing enough!

I'm always in the midst of a cold, sinus infection, etc., etc - they don't want my blood, even though I'm O-

 

[disykat]

I'm 0- and have given several times with no problems. Last time I gave though, I passed out several times and was treated quite badly by the blood bank nurse. She seemed to think I was lonely and came planning to pass out for the attention. ??? I couldn't believe it. I was told in no uncertain terms not to give again. Her supervisor even called me two days later because she had left a note indicating her concern that I would come in again. Weirdest thing I've ever been accused of.

That said, it took me a year to get off their call list - they called every three months despite my weird reputation.

I agree about the volunteering. I won't step foot in a blood bank again, but I do volunteer to babysit when my church does it's annual blood drive.