blood donation

[Logos]

Have any of you ever done it?

I went for the first time today, to start the screening process and do my first donation.

yay! and I got cookies and a donut and apple juice, which they +insist+ that you have afterwards

You are allowed to go get free donuts and cookies every 56 days where they take 450mls of blood. They told me that if they use my blood, it can help up to three different people (like maybe a premature or sick baby, someone with cancer, a burn victim, someone undergoing emergency surgery etc.)

Not too shabby for someone who hates needles so much

[emily655321]

Good for you, Logos. It's such an important thing to do, and I'm impressed that you overcame your needle thing to do it.

I always feel bitter when I see public announcements talking about how people should donate more blood, because I'm not allowed to. I fail three of the rules. First, my grandmother died of CJD (mad cow disease), so apparently that makes her children and all her children's children pariahs in the blood-donation club. Second, I lived in Britain for more than two months after 199* (forget what year, but I did), so they think I could have mad cow disease for that reason (even though, and I told them, I was a vegetarian during the time). Third, there's a rule against contact with a man who's had contact with another man, and my first boy had had a boyfriend before me, so I fail three times.

I want my cookies! Stupid rules. (Also, their loss, because I really like having my blood drawn. I'd be in there all the time! )

[Virgil]

I used to do it, I shouldn't say routinely, but often. Somehow I've gotten out of the habit. Actually they stopped calling me and arranging appointments. Giving blood is a good thing, and it doesn't harm you. Actually there is a theory that removing some blood, about that which is taken in a donation, helps your cardio system; reducing the amount of blood is like thinning your blood. I say again it's just a theory I've heard. I'm not a doctor, so don't take it as gospel.


edit: Now I just thin my blood by drinking red wine!!

[Logos]

Emily, ya, there were some interesting questions they ask a person! I was surprised with their implication that +all+ homosexual or bi men are on some sort of "taboo" list I mean they do a simple hiv test on all blood donations anyway, anybody can have it.

With my various travels over the years I had to really stop and think about where/when/how long, it took me half an hour to answer all these questions.

It's still possible I will receive notice in the mail that for some reason my blood isn't acceptible after they run it through many tests, but I really hope it's "clean" and I can contribute regularily.

Virgil, I have to say I did feel a bit odd for the rest of the day, not `bad' odd and not quite light-headed but similar to how I feel when I've done a tea-fast for a day or two. Red wine and garlic are the two most important food groups

[IrishCanadian]

I went to donate blood about a month ago but they wouldn't let me either ... in my case it was just because I was tired and have a history if fainting. So I'll try again some day when I'm full if vigour and don't think I would faint.
Way to go Logos.

[Pensive]

It is nice Logos. This blood of your's will save someone's life. Giving blood to someone will make you feel satisfied and it will hand you eternal happiness.

I don't know that I will get the courage to do so because I am afraid of injections. Well, life is too long to make descions. (maybe someday I will not be so afraid of injections)

[Logos]

I think that is a big worry for most Pensive. The needle they used was about 4cm long, of course I snuck a peek before I turned my head the other way Then they taped over it so you couldn't see it in there.

Also the mere sight of or idea of blood to some are reasonable phobias and can cause people to faint, but the nurses are pretty used to it, and they were really kind, knowing it was my first time.

I think that in most countries you have to be at least 17 years old, but don't quote me on that.

Now that I know what to expect I'm sure it will be easier the next time. If they deem my blood ok with all the tests I will also do the platelet and bone marrow screening.

[beer good]

I used to give blood regularly, but like Virgil I've kind of lost the habit... I really should take it up again. It's something everybody should do IMO, and I personally find some of the restrictions ridiculous; we all expect there to be blood ready for transfusions if we have an accident, but far too few people actually think of where it comes from.

Unless you're really phobic about blood and needles, there's really no reason to worry. The pain is VERY brief, and at least over here it's all very clinical and relaxed...

(Plus, after you give blood, you're pretty light-headed and can get drunk REALLY cheap. )

[Hazel-Ra]

I keep meaning to give blood, but I used to faint a lot (quite a few years ago) and I hate feeling light-headed. The truth is, I think I've put it off out of fear, too.

Emily, ya, there were some interesting questions they ask a person! I was surprised with their implication that +all+ homosexual or bi men are on some sort of "taboo" list I mean they do a simple hiv test on all blood donations anyway, anybody can have it.

I agree, that is very odd. Why do they say that? As you say, Logos, if they can test it so easily for HIV I see no reason for them to refuse it, especially since they're always crying out for donors.

[Logos]

There have been a number of "tainted blood scandals", I think the worst was in Canada, though there were other countries involved where blood infected with hepatitis C and the hi virus was given to hemophiliacs, resulting in thousands of people, mostly men who are the majority of hemophiliacs, dying of AIDS or hep. In the 80's they weren't testing blood donations for hep or hiv.

So.. even though they +can+ do those tests now, I guess they're overcompensating by ruling out a huge part of the population who possibly are more inclined to contract those diseases. I dunno.

[papayahed]

Add me to the list of *tainted blood*. I used to give blood fairly regularly until I got a letter in the mail saying some Liver Enyme was to high for them to accept my blood any longer. My Mom freaked out and made me go to my doctor because of course I was in grave danger. Turned out to be nothing.

This was in the late 80's early 90's, when I opened up the letter from the Red Cross the very first thing at the top of the page, in huge bold letters was "This is not a letter about AIDS"

[Virgil]

Nothing is fool proof. They need overlaping checks to insure 99.99...% (I don't know to how many decimal places of error they restrict themselves to) reliability. They are restritive to minimize tainted blood. It would be horrible to be that one person in a million or whatever the odds are. However, giving blood is completely safe.

[simon]

I have always wanted to go give blood, I don't have any problems and I don't have any history with fainting or mad cow diseases and such, but I don't exactly meet the weight requirement. Does anyone think that's a problem, like will they stop me? Some freinds of mine are going to give blood soon and this time I want to go.

[IrishCanadian]

Go for it simon! Just eat a lot and a little more before hand!
Two thumbs up

[Koa]

I envy those who are not heavy enough cos it means they're small!

I just can't put myself to do something like that... even if I don't have mad cows in my blood (though I suppose I am one, so they won't want me ) nor I've ever fainted etc... I don't have an open fear of needles but the only thought of the whole thing makes me shiver a bit... even reading the thread, thinking of blood going and hospitals and whatever there is under my skin... bleah