How often do you donate blood?

[BeeNee]

I've never donated

I've never donated, but plan to soon

I've donated a few times here and there

I regularly donate blood

[redeyemindtricks]

I'm totally down to donate blood, but, I'm type AB+ so it would be relatively pointless. (My blood can only be accepted by other AB+'s, and we're less than 1 percent of the population... and, on top of that, we AB+'s can take ANY other type of blood anyway.)

Plus, the blood banks around here apparently hate my husband and me, as they've rejected us a couple times in past blood drives on incredibly flimsy pretexts.
There was the one time they rejected my husband because his most recent tattoo was EIGHT YEARS prior. (They said they wouldn't take anyone who'd been tattooed in the last 10 years.)
And the other time they rejected me because of some country to which I'd traveled during the previous 5 years -- can't remember right now which country or when.

So, as of the moment, I've kinda given up trying, tbh

[GingerBear]

The blood banks in your area sound pretty useless :/ Though I can understand the travel thing, the tattoo thing is ridiculous. Here it's 6-12 months post tattoo/piercings.

[redeyemindtricks]

@GingerBear Yeah, dunno. That was a mobile blood drive here in LA.
Only thing I can think of is, mb they had some issues in the area with prison tattoos, or a critical mass of tattoo shops that didn't autoclave their instruments properly, or... who knows.

I did donate blood in Houston post-Katrina, and let's just say they weren't being anywhere near as picky at that point. LOL

[GingerBear]

Oh yeah, that might be it. Still, 10 years is a hell of a long time to rule out donation after a tattoo. Even HIV will show up within that time.

Haha, I could imagine they'd be looking for as many donations as possible at that point.
I live in Australia, and I'm pretty sure our customs laws are more strict than our blood donation policies.

[redeyemindtricks]

@GingerBear lol australia yeah... y'all can't even buy melatonin there

[GingerBear]

Oh, you can. It's just not a useful strength unless you get a prescription. But that's like a lot of medications here. Everything is at a way higher schedule than what they are in America. I dunno why they feel like nexium needs a prescription either.

[redeyemindtricks]

@GingerBear Nexium is a prescription drug here in the states, too.

It's ironic that you'd make that comment about melatonin, of all things -- because melatonin is basically the one supplement for which drugstore doses are at CRAZY crazy supraphysiological levels.
I mean, the body only produces about 0.25 mg of melatonin/day, but, here in the US, the common doses of pills are 1, 3, 5, and 10 (!) mg.

Whenever my friends from Australia are here, they make runs to the pharmacy and load up on melatonin pills, so, there must be SOME lack of availability of it back there... etiher that or they're just really dumb. lol

[GingerBear]

Really? I would swear that we bought it at costco when we were there on holidays.

I think it's that the prescription is a pain to get, and it's not cheap here.

[redeyemindtricks]

@GingerBear eh, I suppose I could look it up on the internet.

Also, drug controls are things that are constantly changing -- and I don't remember how recently those friends were last here.
In any case, that was just a random tangential comment; I didn't even mean for it to spiral into a discussion of this length, lol. [:

[GingerBear]

I'm a donor, whenever I can be :) I'm type A+, so they can always use my blood, and my veins are fabulously easy to puncture.
I also love the idea of helping people. I'm also a registered bone marrow and organ donor.

[BeeNee]

So you're a super hero! Fantastic!

[ATPPC]

Never, but yeah definitely a good thing to do.

I just don't know about any blood donation stations near me. This is not something that usually comes across in our lives so I've never took the time to research how I can contribute.

Also it's a donation. My heart isn't big enough to spend time getting all the testing done, spend time getting there, go through the discomfort and spend the next couple of days feeling like crap. Not worth my own selfish time I got so many other things to do/enjoy. If you pay me $50, give me SOMETHING, maybe I'll have the motivation to do it.

[SunDevil11]

I try to go as much as possible

[BeeNee]

fantastic!

[SunDevil11]

Thanks :)

[SunDevil11]

Thank you for MHO :)

[lolatyou]

I've tried at least 10 times but every time I go something is wrong and they won't let me. A low grade fever, I think my iron count was too low a few times, my blood pressure was too high one time. I had just taken antibiotics a week prior another time. I always stop by those donor buses they have in the city but it never works lol apparently my blood isn't worthy.

[BeeNee]

I'm sorry to hear that, but don't take it personally. Individuals who need blood are already usually in dire straits, and they need healthy blood. The nurses who test and attend to you as a potential donor also don't want you to risk your own life and health to donate which is why they have, of course, testing standards and health requirements. I would suggest if you have time, making an appointment at a blood donation center as opposed to the mobile vans. This way you can wait until you know you are in good health, and prepare by making sure you're getting enough iron and water in your system to be able to donate.

[Remonster]

I did try.

About a year ago I made an appointment, went to visit and had my blood work done which turned out excellent. However, when the time came to hook me up to the donation machine, they failed to find an arterie which was easily accessible enough to reliably draw a good stream of blood from. I left disappointed, but I promised myself to try it one more time when I'm thinner.

[BeeNee]

Good for you, and I'm glad you want to go back. I veins don't like people. Never have. Every time I go to do any type of blood work, the struggle is very real. I donated today again, and the process to donate Automated Blood, for platelets usually takes a normal person like an hour to hour and a half. It took them a full 30 minutes to find a good vein and then in total it took me 3 hours to finally get two bags of platelets out of me, but I still consider it to be so worth it. I'm lucky enough to be healthy enough to do this for someone else who really has no choice about the situation they are in, whether sick, or being operated on in an emergency, or going through surgery, but I do have the choice to help. I really do hope you get a chance to go back and keep going back :o)

[Remonster]

Huh, almost sounds like they kicked me out rather easily. They tried for about 10 minutes or so. Then again it could mean that my blood wasn't that in demand to begin with. What I disliked most about the whole experience is that I still don't know what my blood type is.

But yes I do agree, it's worth the effort!

[BeeNee]

I would try going to a different location/drive/mobile van or for me, I just go straight to a blood donation center. The staff there are not in a rush because you've made an appointment usually, so they can really attend to you. They truly made any and all effort, and they will never tell you, your blood isn't needed because obviously every person can have a different blood type, so of course everyone's blood is in high demand. Hopefully you'll get a chance to try again some time. Good luck to you.

[Remonster]

Thank you very much!

[RationalMale]

Pretty much never.

1. Don't think of it ahead of time to avoid chocolate/coffee.
2. Who wants some person shoving needles in your arm if you don't need to?
3. What if you donate blood and it goes to some bank robber or a mugger who got shot during commission of crime?

[BeeNee]

1. I just donated today and neither coffee nor chocolate were listed as things that would prevent donation.
2. Not many people enjoy needles in their arms, but in life you never know when you may be on the other end of things needing blood. If everyone said no to needles, who's left to help you when the time comes?
3. There is no way of knowing that, but that is such a small percentage as compared to the children with cancer, blot clotting issues, those who have surgery or need organ donation, who need blood.

[RationalMale]

I went to Kennesaw State and the campus church hosted blood donation a lot, sign always said "no caffeine or chocolate for 48 hours" or such. So I suppose a big part was I was lazy/didn't care.

Bigger part is that I generally run away from people who want to stab me with needles. Fistfights would mess up my pretty face.

[RationalMale]

And also, a pint of blood sells for about $200 or so, yet they want it for free from college kids. You'd think the friggin cheapskates would be willing to offer a $20 giftcard. And paying 10% of what you intend to sell the blood for isn't too pricey, I say.

[BeeNee]

Obviously it's your body, you will of course do what you want with it, but I think blood donation should be given because you truly want to help people in need. Where I donate, they never pay anybody to donate blood. It's a fellow human being, simply helping another human being--true altruism. As I said, we never know in this life when it may be us or a family member or child on an operating table, or in a car accident, or developing cancer.

[lolatyou]

I bet if you ever need blood though, you won't be turning it down...

[RationalMale]

@lolatyou have never needed it yet!

[archiz]

I just donated once
wanted to donate more but they didn t let me cause I am under weight and for the last months I had a lack of iron... now I am back on track ^^

[BeeNee]

Glad you donated, but they are right to turn you away for lack of iron. They have to make sure you are healthy enough to donate so start eating your spinach and red meat so you can get back in the game!

[archiz]

I am haha ^^

[falafelany1]

I have never donated because I have health issues and I am not heavy enough. I have received blood though.

[BeeNee]

glad you at least thought about or tried to donate.

[falafelany1]

Yeah if I could I would since I was helped by it.

[chrisbigman]

Not very often, only because I've been told that my health can deteriorate the more I give blood. I'm all for giving blood to save lives, but I'd rather be alive myself. I've gone once or twice, but haven't done any since then.

[BeeNee]

Thanks for donating, but how is your health deteriorating by donating? By donating blood the iron stores in the body are maintained at healthy levels and the reduction in iron levels in the body is linked with low cancer risk. Blood donation is beneficial in reducing risk of heart and liver ailments caused by iron overload in the body. There are world record holders who have donated 350+ times and are still very much alive and well and blood donation centers actually limit the time period between certain blood donations to ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk.

[chrisbigman]

Okay. Maybe I was told wrong.

[BeeNee]

Hopefully you go back soon. A lot of people could use your help, and now you know it helps you too :o)

[chrisbigman]

I guess I will.

[CHARismatic110]

I've never donated. But I've TRIED to 4 different times. I have iron deficiency anemia so I'm never able to make it all the way through the process.

[BeeNee]

I'm just glad you've at least tried, and repeatedly at that.

[CHARismatic110]

I always will lol. Even tho I know the chances of actually giving any is slim to none! Thanks tho!

[Remembermyname4]

I have never donated blood before. I need to though.

[NYkid27]

Never. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks recently and once it took 10 tries to start an IV and another time it took 12 tries and that has happened to me many times in the past so I avoid needles unless it's absolutely necessary

[menina]

I've never donated blood, but it's something I would like to do. I'm just not sure if I can.

[BeeNee]

you might want to take a look at the red cross (or whatever blood donation center is closest to you) for requirements for blood donation in your area. I hope you get a chance to donate.

[menina]

Thanks. I will see what I need to do.
I think I will feel good with myself after doing it.

[AhGojira]

I've never donated blood. I registered, but they didn't want my blood, I'm guessing because of the number of sexual partners (even though I've never had an STD).

[This_is_my_username]

Nope. I haven't but maybe one day soon. Plus the hospital is in dire need of O- OR O+ where i am at. And i am a AB- but i need to do it someday.

[BeeNee]

I hope you get a chance to do it soon. Other than for health/medical reasons, I've never heard of a blood bank turning away anyone who wants to donate.

[AzureGirl]

I've never donated. I'm a bit iffy about needles and blood, plus I'm pretty much always dehydrated so I wouldn't be able to either.

[genericname85]

somehow i´m always sick when there is a donation event near by xD it´s a stupid coincidence, that i never actually donated.

[BeeNee]

I'm sorry to hear that. You might want to try going to a blood donation center where you can schedule an appointment, rather then wait for the mobile fans or blood drives. Less wait time anyway that way, and you will know you're not sick.

[BeeNee]

*vans

[genericname85]

yeah i could :D but it´s not really on the top of my priority-list. someday i will do it ^^

[willow74]

I don't. I get dizzy if I even have it drawn. As much as I'd like to, is out of the question.

[Anonymous]

Take it, just don't take all of it <3

Two kinds of people in the world: those who have O negative blood and are pretentious about it and people that are not.

[9mfeo]

Being that I am severely anaemic, they don't want my blood.

[Luv2BRealExotic13]

Never. I wouldn't mind but I'm under the weight limit.

[EmpatheticLady]

I've never donated. My fear of needles keeps me far away from that.

[teawrecks]

Almost never. I'm only A+ and my veins are deep and small, so it's pretty difficult.

[Tomboy_Cool]

OYE! I donated my god damn ass blood so they can determine if I'm sick or not!

[Anonymous]

I donated blood several times when I was younger but the (blood pressure lowering) meds I'm forced to take now would do receivers more harm than good in many cases.

[Anonymous]

Donated 3 times and blacked out all three times. The third time i donated the nurse told me to probably not donate for a few years...

[BeeNee]

probably a good idea to wait then

[Opinion Owner]

Yep, my thoughts exactly lol :P

[Anonymous]

I have never donated. I'd like to, but I always faint at the sight of my own blood coming out of my body through a needle.

[Anonymous]

I have never donated due to being diabetic with unstable sugar levels

[Anonymous]

My blood is unacceptable, not that I ever felt a great urge to donate. If I ever need blood I hope I will be Allowed to die with dignity,

[MyNameIsJonas]

I have before... But not in the past 6-12 months.

[BeeNee]

Glad you donated.

[mystique253]

I'm not comfortable with giving blood so no.

[BeeNee]

if you don't mind me asking, why not?

[mystique253]

I'm scared of needles

[Electronica]

Aye, fuck that, this is my blood.

[jmmmfi2]

Never it's my blood get your own

[Anonymous]

Can females donate their period blood?

[coolscenebro]

never loolol.