ANYONE. Have you given blood at your high school's blood drive?

[Fishycx]

This Friday our school is having a blood drive. As much as I want to do it I have issues with the whole blood, needles, and something goes into my vein that'll stay there for about 10 minutes. I've never been a fan of needles. I would get tense from the vaccinations shots. I feel like such a wimp but so much in me wants to give blood because of the potential of saving other's lives. If you've given blood before at your high school's blood drive did it hurt? (Are you afraid of needles?), What is it like? Please share your experiences. (: That would be much appreciated.

I might be deficient in iron and I'm nervous about that being a reason I can't give blood. Do you know any good foods I can eat to get more iron in me in this week before Friday? (I don't eat animals so that limits some of the options...)

Do you have any tips to not be nervous? Any positive mindsets? Any suggestions?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'd appreciate your input.

[Kiwedin]

I've given blood before and I plan on doing it again. I'm not afraid of needles or anything, so I didn't find the experience scary. I was a bit nervous, but that's normal. It's just a small pinch and you barely feel a thing and I felt completely fine afterwards, as if nothing happened. It's really nothing to be afraid of.
I don't eat meat either, but as long as your eating a healthy, balanced diet, and you aren't anemic, you'll be fine. The guy who measured my iron actually said that he noticed vegans have amazing iron levels more often than other people, I guess because we eat a lot more vegetables, beans, and lentils. Vitamin C helps the absorption of Iron as well, so just have a glass of orange juice along with your meals. You can try a supplement as well, if you're just someone who naturally has low iron, it shouldn't be an issue.
https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.php

[Fishycx]

Thank you! (:

[tay554]

I have given blood many times, health testing and charity and yes it stings for a moment, but it doesn't take that long and if you talk to the person doing it or someone around you it's a piece of cake. your mind is the only thing that makes it difficult, you are guaranteed to get nervous but try your best to fight it, it really isn't a big deal and you're bettering someone else's life with a moment of very tiny pain so isn't that worth it? you'll do fine i'm sure and they make iron supplement pills. do some research. vegetables are high in iron as well. good luck

[Fishycx]

Thank you! Are there any vegetables specifically high in iron that would be good within this last week to do some good? I started researching yesterday but I haven't really found anything good that would be the most helpful..

[tay554]

Spinach is the absolute best of the vegetables for iron. beans can be good too

[Fishycx]

I found some diversity on spinach.. xD Thank you so much for your help :)

[tay554]

Of course.! no problem :)

[TheHoneyBadger]

I've given blood. It wasn't a big deal, but needles don't bother me and I have large veins that stick out of my arms, so that part wasn't an issue. Drinking water before you donate is important. Also, they will check your iron level before you give, so you need to try to get iron in your system before then (usually a big steak does the trick, but sounds like you'll have to find other options).

[Fishycx]

That seems to work out nicely. Yes, other options.. Would you know of any good options as such?

[TheHoneyBadger]

you should check out this site: https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.php#table11

[Illusive_Man]

NOOOOPE , I've donated blood before , ONCE ITS FUR CHARITAH but god I will never do it again.

My veins are like super tiny so they stabbed me like 7 times before they could finally find one.

I'm not afraid of pain but jesus christ that doesn't mean I'm immune to it.

[Illusive_Man]

There is NO tips , just relax , eat plenty of sugar before your blood donation and hope god gave you big veins lol

[Fishycx]

Was the stabbing painful?
Well God's given me smaller veins...
By finally finding one are you referring to a large
enough vein?
Thank you for your help :)

[Illusive_Man]

Painful?
Well let me put it this way , imagine pinching your arm hard , that's what it feels like. Not exactly ball crushing painful but it's noticeable.
As for finding a vein , no lol not "large enough" as in there's NO BLOOD coming out... at all so they have to pull the needle out and look for it at another site.

[Fishycx]

That doesn't sound too painful. Thank you :)
Oh okay. That makes much more sense.

[rachelbrrtt]

Iron pills and orange juice to raise your iron levels.

I have the same problem with needles. So instead of giving blood I help run the cantina ( area where you get food before going back to class).

Keep in mind that if you are scared enough of needles ( like I am) and pass out from them, they can't use your blood anyway because they assume you were deficient in something they didn't catch

[Fishycx]

Thank you :)

[UberTroll]

I've given blood a few times, and every year I could when they did the drives in my high school. It's really not that bad. I always found the finger prick they give you to test for anemia to be worse than the actual blood drawing. You don't even feel the needle once it's in your arm. Just don't look at it and try to keep yourself distracted if you're feeling nervous.

[Rizvi112]

i'm a bit of afraid of needles, but i donated blood in my campus about 6 month ago. First it felt like a bite of red ant, but later it was ok. That day i had a , math class in the afternoon, and i attended that class like a regular class.

[Fishycx]

I'm glad it was like a regular class for you. (:

[swimminggirl436]

Yes I've done it five times its fine just drink a lot of water protein rich foods

[Climber]

I already give blood and plasma since 7 years

[Fishycx]

What's it like? Did have you small veins?

[Climber]

No, my veins are easy to locate. But the medical people who stick the needles are very experienced, even more than your doctor, so don't worry. They will find the good vein.

[Prettygurl12]

I've never weighed enough to give blood.

[Fishycx]

Aw \: Maybe someday then? :)

[Prettygurl12]

Um... maybe. I don't necessarily care to ever weigh 110. Seems like a lot to someone who is 101.

[dudeman]

I give blood all the time

[Fishycx]

How selfless of you! :)
Is it painful? What was it like when you first gave blood?

[dudeman]

It feels like somebody is sitting on your arm. I was scared the first time. I hate needles.

[Fishycx]

How'd you deal with being scared?

[dudeman]

I just let myself be scared. Being scared is natural just because im scared doesn't mean ill back down from something

[Fishycx]

I mean like did you talk to the people taking your blood or something? Like how did you deal with it while you were giving the blood?

[dudeman]

O I just did nothing

[Anonymous]

I'm gonna need to because O- is fucking needed