Get up and go donate some blood!

[SirenDep]

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I tried to donate blood twice, once in June and once in September. Both times I was declined, but for good reason. The first time, it was because I recently had a surgery, and now because I have some antibodies against thyroid gland, which might cause thyroid problems to the person the blood will be transfused to. I have to wait until January to redo blood exams, and I hope I'll qualify for becoming a blood donor by then!

I feel really sad I can't donate blood, because the small amount of blood I 'd donate (less that a small water bottle), could save three people's lives. Imagive that! Saving three lives, just by going in a hospital, feeling a small and quick pinch of the needle and giving a bit of my blood. It's such an easy way to help other people, without spending many hours or money. And since you can donate blood three times per year, that's nine lives per year you 've saved! Please go and donate some blood if you can, in my place! You 'll be someone's hero, and you never know, you might need blood as well at some point of your life.

BEFORE YOU GO TO DONATE

Be sure to be well rested

Drink a lot of water.

Eat a good meal.

Don't drink alcohol.

Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

Bring a list of medications you are taking

Bring an id.

THE DONATION PROCESS

The donation process from the time you arrive to the hospital until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. The steps in the process are:

1. Registration

The hospital's stuff will sign you in and go over basic eligibility and donation information.You will read information about donating blood, and will be asked to show a donor card, driver's license, or other
form(s) of ID.

2. Health history and mini physical exam

You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and places you have traveled. A doctor or nurse will check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood.

3. The donation

A doctor or nurse will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand new sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds. The actual donation of whole blood takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you will be seated comfortably. Certain donation can last for more, though, such as plasma donation. When approximately a pound or 500 grams of blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.

4. Refreshments

After donating, you should have a snack and something to drink in the refreshments area. You can leave the site after 10-15 minutes and continue with your normal daily activities, but avoid hard labour that day.

[front2back]

I'm a universal donor.

My first time sucked, as it usually does for some. Tip: Drink so much water you pee every hour or so 3 days before donation, and eat a big breakfast and meal before, even if it isn't super healthy (but don't get BK). However, each time after that it was smooth. Don't donate ANYWHERE other than the Red Cross. My local competing blood donor center was terrible and I wound up not being able to donate that day because they couldn't put the needle in right. Red Cross did it perfectly every time and made me feel cared for.

I guess I feel good about donating, but it's something I just feel more or less obligated to do since I'm a universal donor and my blood is super important. I would just want someone doing the same for me if I had problems.

Also, the day of your donation and the couple days after that you'll be able to work at 50% and 75% capacity respectively. It helps if you're not out of shape like me. Either way, just take it EASYYYY for a couple days after the donation. Spoil yourself with sugar after you donate that day so your body can have some energy.

[SirenDep]

thanks for your info!

[mskay]

I have no idea why are people actually asked to pay to receive blood transfusion lol. I've received lots of blood, since I had leukemia, so I obviously do know bout it. And fuck, the fees were so darn expensive!

Anyways, even if I wanted to donate, I couldn't. Doctors wouldn't allow.

[SirenDep]

In Greece people give and receive blood for free. Selling or buying blood is forbidden since 1979.. When someone needs blood, the hospital gives it from their stash, or they ask for it from official donours or from a person's relative. So if you lived here, you wouldn't need to pay for it..

[mskay]

Oh my bad.. I thought it was the same. 😅

But yeah, back there, when I needed blood transfusion I need to pay per packet it's seriously ridiculous to me.

[SirenDep]

I wrote a whole myTake on how vital it is to donate blood. I thought it was free everywhere, I didn't realise people in other countries trade it

[mskay]

Yeah, I never realized I had to pay (mum never said) until few years ago where I went for a blood transfusion on my own.

[RationalMale]

I had to LOL at some of those reasons to donate blood. So according to certain groups, we're back to "bleeding is good for your health!"

And if the red cross was more willing to split the cash they make off the blood, more people would do so, haha.

articles.orlandosentinel.com/.../os-blood-cost-anne-chinoda-20100405_1_blood-is-big-business-community-blood-centers-donors

[SirenDep]

I wouldn't say you're bleeding, you're just giving some of your blood. I can see how the above points are true, but well we agree to disagree. Maybe in US clinics make money from selling blood, but this doesn't stand for Greece because people who have an insurance enjoy free health care.

[RationalMale]

Ah. Greece, birthplace of Western CIvilization. And currently helping to inflict hordes of migrants on Europe.

Greece deserves respect if only for their legendary history, but their financial situation, in part thanks to their "free" health care and socialism, is pretty awful...

[SirenDep]

The immigrants mostly leave their countries because their lives are in danger, because of war, in which foreign countries are involved as well. They don't really want to come to Greece, but Greece just happens to be the most convenient country to go to EU, because it's the most south European country, and they can get there easily with boats. Immigrants are not just a greek problem, it concerns the whole Europe. And it's not just our economy shitty, all european countries have debt.

[RationalMale]

If these people were leaving to flee war...

Don't you think they would flee to the nearest safe nation? Such as, Turkey is a stable member of NATO, yet the "migrants" are just passing through to go to Germany for the best welfare benefits.

It's like--if the USA was in turmoil, and Americans were fleeing, don't you think a lot of us would just go right next door to Canada?

[SirenDep]

they are leaving because of war but they also want a better life

[RationalMale]

They want a better life, but they don't want to work to create that life at home. The oil nations have insane wealth, yet they haven't developed their own societies like Germany or Sweden have. Funny how that works.

What happens to say, German girls, when hundreds of thousands of muslims arrive from societies where bare arms and legs is basically an open invitation to rape?

[Scrambledagain]

Can't donate blood either. In Australia You are considered high risk if you have had male homosexual sex or sex with a prostitute. You can only donate blood after a year since your last contact with one of the above. Its obviously to reduce chances of HIV and other std transfusions. P. s I'm not gay, I fall into the latter category.

[SirenDep]

It's the same in my country. Also you're considered of high risk if you don't use condom when not in a steady relationship

[PublicEnemyNumber-1]

2 issues, I have a negative blood type which is more rare in people so I doubt people will need my blood. Then again, that could mean more people would need my blood since it is rare, but there's no way I could tell for sure. Second issue is I am really giving more than I am getting.

[SirenDep]

I'm sure your blood will be useful to someone. And you definitely give more than what you're getting, but that's the whole point. It's still easier than, say, becoming a volunteer to take care of elderly

[PublicEnemyNumber-1]

I see no purpose in giving more than I'm getting. That's just me though, I won't stop you from donating.

[jakeofalltrades]

I give blood regularly, even though last time I went in I couldn't cause my iron level is to low. for me the helpful feeling I got when I first started has worn off. now the red cross calls me anytime I am eligible to give. it kind of ruins it when they are calling for you to come and give blood instead of going in of your free will

[SirenDep]

They probably consider you aa regular donor. Since you can donate blood 3 times per year, they propably call to remind you. HYou could tell them not to call you if it bothers you

[Mustachekitteh]

Nope never doing it my medications probably would screw the other person over.

Once when I took a drug test for a job I failed that because of my ADHD med. :D

[SirenDep]

yes, some medicines do contain some type of drugs..

[Kuraj]

The tiny little problem in all this that you forgot to point out is, that blood is a massive multimillion business.
But the actual donors are being given jack shit.

[SirenDep]

that doesn't mean we shouldn't donate blood, it means we should be more insistent on people having it for a smaller or no charge

[PiuBelloAmante]

Funny how we get milked like cows, to "donate" yet people are still charged for this...

I want to donate my blood and know not some rich fuck is making money off my blood

never done it, never will