Flyertalk Cares! - Give Blood. It may save a life...YOURS!

I'm in the habit of giving blood every 2 months. It's a good thing to do.

Before they take your blood, the do a test of your 'iron'. Your iron level should be between 15 and 16. That's healthy. So today, my iron level was 17. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

When you give blood, you reduce your iron level. So by giving blood today, I was able to bring down my iron level.

I wouldn't even know that my iron level was high unless I gave blood, or went for a check-up.

The otherr way to know if you're iron level is high is by looking in the mirror. Is your face a little redder than normal? How about your ears? This is a warning sign.

A friend of mine had high iron and didn't know it. After he died, his entire family got tested. Several of them now give blood regularly to reduce their high level of iron in their blood.

Bottom line, give blood. It may save YOUR life.

By the way, I'm A-


Dan

Always do, Dan! Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

They also test for a variety of other conditions, as you know.

BTW, men are inclined to store iron, while women are not! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Never given blood, I just know that I am ordinary. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

FewMiles..

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What else do blood collection agencies screen for, besides the obvious?

I donated blood in college once freshman year (because I liked the blood drive coordinator in my dorm http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif ), but was never asked back even when there was a shortage http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

At the time a free cholesterol screening was offered, and mine returned poor results (diet has been extensively overhauled since). Would this alone make one's blood undesirable?

Blood donor eligibilty guidelines from the American Red Cross (last revised 6/27/02):

http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/blood/learn/eligibl.html

Wow, isn't Blair's response time amazing? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Let's see:
- the last time I weighed 110lbs was in 4th grade or so http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif
- no tattoos
- acne???
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
- no drugs

I'll chalk it up to 'Wait 12 months after close contact with someone who is sick with viral hepatitis. Close contact is defined as ... sharing the same ... dormitory', or to 'Wait 12 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.'

Or could the coordinator not have cared for me? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/tongue.gif

For those who have given blood, if I may, I'd like to ask a few questions.

How long does it take to give blood? While I know this sounds lame, I'll ask anyway. How painful is it? I must admit, I'm a bit scared of needles. Is it better to go to a hospital or to the local Red Cross? Is there a third alternative? I do not know my blood type; will they require I know it in advance?

Analise

It also stings for a second - actually two seconds counting the finger stick for your hematocrit/RBC! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

FWIW, I prefer to go to the Red Cross/NY Blood Ctr!

Nothing in advance but a picture ID required!

Enjoy giving the gift of life! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

-Mark

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">How long does it take to give blood? How painful is it?</font>

Analise,

It feels much like a regular injection. The only painful part is when the needle punctures your skin. You might then feel slightly uneasy while the blood is extracted (for a minute or so?), but this is mostly psychological.

Remember to eat well and not exercise strenuously afterwards.

Figure a half hour or so total: 10 minutes for screening, 20 for the donation itself. Depending where you go, when you go, and whether they do appointments, you may need to add for a wait.

The pre-donation exam consists of taking your blood pressure and temperature; *****ing your finger for a drop of blood for the iron test; and a long questionaire (about 60 questions).

Here in Dallas, there are 2 main agencies, red cross and carter bloodcare. At the red cross here in Dallas, you don't get your iron level. They just see if a drop of blood sinks, so all you know is whether your iron is too low or not. I know Carter used to mail you your cholesterol, I don't know if they still do, but red cross doesn't.

Over the last two decades, the list of folks who shouldn't donate has grown, now including travel restrictions http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif (due to both AIDS and Mad Cow), new drug prohibitions (Accutane, Propecia), and AIDS risk factors. This makes it all the more important that those of us who can donate, so.

auto-censor test: ***** your finger
*****ing your finger

FewMiles..

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Regarding where to give blood...many hospitals no longer accept donations, so you do have to go to "the blood bank." One wonderful advantage of the donor center is that those folks stick hundreds of people a week and they are very good with a needle.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Comicwoman:
One wonderful advantage of the donor center is that those folks stick hundreds of people a week and they are very good with a needle.</font>

Analise -

CW beat me to it - but I have been giving blood for many years and it's true those folks do it all day long. I ALWAYS ask for the most experienced technician when I donate. I politely say I am very anxious (not exactly true) and I prefer not to have any trainees take my blood. It takes me about 20 minutes and it is relatively painless - I hate shots but I don;t mind giving blood. And everyone is SO appreciative !!

It's not painful other than a pinch (twice, see the iron test).

You do not have to know your blood type; they will let you know what it is by mail. I determined my own long ago - now that was fun!

I won't lie: the needle used to draw the blood is a little larger gauge than needles that may have been used to draw your blood in the past, but it is bearable. Plus, you get all kinds of treats after you donate! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Plan on 25-40 minutes for entry to exit as you'll want to sit and eat/drink something for a few minutes before you go. You may feel lightheaded after donating but that is normal. I haven't seen anyone faint but it does happen occasionally. There is someone there to walk you from the donation area to the feasting area so you don't really have to worry about fainting.

It's a great community service that benefits many people. It's also addictive. After you do it once, you start looking forward to your next eligible donation date. You may give blood every 56 days.

http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 10-10-2002).]

Analise,

I usually give at my local hospital. The benefit of giving to a hospital is that they DON'T have to pay a blood bank for the blood. After I found that out, I stopped giving at the blood bank.
They'll tell you what blood type you are. A donor card arrives in the mail with this info.

I forgot to mention the best part... they give you drinks, no...not that, and plenty of sugary food. Now if only they gave Krispy Kreme's http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Dan

I've also been a regular donor (B+) for many years. In the past year the Red Cross has identified me as having an excess of platelets (who knew?).

In a standard whole-blood donation, platelets, red blood cells, plasma, etc. are centrifuged apart and mixed with those of other same-type donors (it takes platelets from three donors to equal one "dose" of platelets for a leukemia or chemotherapy patient). During a platelet donation, enough are taken from a single donor to equal the amount needed to treat the patient. The good thing is that recovery time before donating again is shorter (less than two weeks); the downside is that the donation takes up to two hours, so at the DC donor center, we get to choose a movie to watch during the process!

I actually miss giving blood.... had given religiously every two months since I was in high school.

But all that changed when I answered the questionnaire that I was gay.

Wonder if they will ever change that rule.

Glad to hear everyone here is donating...

William

I think donating blood is a wonderful thing, but I won't do it. In the past whenever I have had blood drawn for a test, I have jut about fainted. I get pale as a ghost and ... well it isn't a pretty sight. There is no reason for it other than that I am a wimp, the sight of blood makes me sick, and then knowing there is a tube of it being drawn out of my arm make...ugh see even now...can't think about it.. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

Like Tribeflyer I also do Pheresis..and like Dhammer I am also A-. It is well worth the time and effort for either straight blood donation or Pheresis.

summerdawn, it's so very nice to see you! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

pointsgirl, being squeamish is completely understandable and is something you get over slowly, over a long period of time.

FewMiles..

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[This message has been edited by FewMiles (edited 10-10-2002).]

I donated once and I didn't feel well afterwards. It was not psychological because it didn't bother me but I think it may have to do with being hypoglycemic (the opposite of diabetes) although it didn't say anything about that being a problem. I should try it again.

I am O+

summerdawn http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

Visit us in chat. We miss you.

Ain't too enchanted with the Red Cross. After your donation makes it through their pipeline, they bill hospitals about $150. I'm A- too, and I still give.

When I lived in NYC I gave blood approx. every 56 days at work. They had a blood drive every couple months. I'm O+ and CMV- (CMV is some kind of virus that a majority of the population has. Totally harmless for most people but blood with CMV can't be used for infants, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems) so they LOVE my blood and used to call me before every blood drive. It's a great feeling and any little bruise or slight pinch is well worth it.

Want to say thanks to everyone who has given blood since you saved my grandmother's life many years ago when she had to have several pints transfused.

Haven't been able to give since moving to Spain since I get rejected as a foreigner and will probably now get rejected if I try to give in the US for having spent too much time in Europe http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

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I Love New York -- Viva España

Oh yeah, post donation guidelines suggest that you avoid alcohol and heavy lifting for the rest of the day.

So make sure you schedule your donation accordingly.

I've occasionally felt slight fatigue in my donation arm for a few hours, so since I'm right handed, I always donate from my left (non-mouse) hand.

In New York, is it safer to go directly to a hospital, a blood bank, or the Red Cross? Perhaps it does not matter. From what I'm reading, I'd rather give to where my blood isn't sold to those who need it. I guess I'm leaning toward the hospital? I just want to make sure everything is super-clean and that no needles are reused.

I so understand pointsgirl's hesitations. I feel the exact same way about needles and blood.

Agreed about giving blood. It's just a plain good thing to do.

But, on another note, ladies generally don't have a high iron problem, but the opposite. Iron deficiency.

Mary

Sadly, I am not allowed to give blood for now, due do some medications I am taking. I was able to give in high school for our blood drives, and in fact, we had a scheduled blood drive on 9/11/01 at school...

My dad gives Pherisis a few times a year as needed.

I knew a vegetarian who had an iron deficiency. The doctor if asked if she was a vegetarian for any moral or religious reasons, she said no. So the doctor told her to eat red meat! Problem solved.

Bumped, to save a life.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by monahos:
What else do blood collection agencies screen for, besides the obvious?

At the time a free cholesterol screening was offered, and mine returned poor results (diet has been extensively overhauled since). Would this alone make one's blood undesirable?</font>

I don't really know everything they test for (other than any diseases that could be transmitted through blood), but I think many of them still offer the cholesterol screening. I don't believe high cholesterol would make your blood undesirable, however, since I constantly receive cards encouraging me to come back in.

Donating blood is actually how I discovered I had high cholesterol. Mine was high enough to cause me some concern and after a few visits with my physician, I'm now taking medication which has it under control.

I can't imagine that I would have ever gone in to have a cholesterol screening at my age. So...I guess you could say donating blood at least lengthened my life (since my doctor told me that my arteries were aging twice as fast as they should!). http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif


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Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?

I have very low blood pressure normally - usually like 85/55, sometimes lower. The last time I gave blood, they had to put the bag on the floor and me on a very high table and it just kind of oozed out..it takes forever and then I'm all swimmy-headed when it's over (more donuts! more Orange Juice!). But I still give at my local hospital every chance I get.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wharvey:
I actually miss giving blood.... had given religiously every two months since I was in high school.

But all that changed when I answered the questionnaire that I was gay.

Wonder if they will ever change that rule.</font>

Don't hold your breath. The Salvation Army, which is terribly concerned about everyone's health (sarcasm), continually votes against allowing gays to donate essentially because it doesn't mesh with their religious agenda.

Unfortunately, they'd prefer to see people die for lack of blood rather than have anything to do with gays.

There are some campaigns out there to boycott blood drives for this reason. That's a whole separate discussion, but the basic idea is that bringing the issue to the forefront now and getting the rule changed will save more lives in the future than waiting another 50 years for the Red Cross and others to stop being so bigoted. If these people were really concerned about screening out bad blood, they'd look at the statistics and make some serious changes.

Sorry for the rant, but I think it's an important topic.

d

(edited for typo)

[This message has been edited by Doppy (edited 02-09-2003).]

I saw the "are you afraid of needles" thread and was reminded that the needle they use to draw blood is very small. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

It's a slow time of the year for blood donations. Please consider giving.

Dan

Shamless bump. Give blood. The supplies are in short supply.

They're especially in need of blood type FT.
http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/biggrin.gif

I wouldn't get too carried away with the ocnspiracy theories that the Red Cross is letting people die because they are anti-gay. I lived in England for six months, and now I am permanently banned from ever donating blood, even though I donated blood every 8 weeks for about FIVE YEARS after the six months in England. If I was a Mad Cow, or if I was turning other people into Mad Cows, don't you think five years' worth of blood units would have already done it? All of a sudden, my 21st Century blood is BAD, whereas my 20th Century blood was GOOD.

What I'm saying is that the Red Cross is probably just overly paranoid about the blood they get. I don't know enough about their testing processes, and how 100% certain they are that their blood is safe. (If the tests are only, say 99.9999% accurate, then maybe the paranoia is justified. I just don't know.)

However, I don't think the Red Cross is engaging in an anti-gay conspiracy, or an anti-people-who-lived-in-England conspiracy for that matter, or an anti-people-who-exchange-drugs-for-sex conspiracy, etc.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
I wouldn't get too carried away with the ocnspiracy theories that the Red Cross is letting people die because they are anti-gay.</font>

You're right, it's the Salvation Army. That was a typo. I'll update my post.

d

I don't think they ask about this, but if you've ever had unexplained nerological symptoms then blood donation is contra-indicated.

It seems there once was someone diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis who was killed in a car crash. His corneas were dontacted and transplanted into two different recipients.

Both recipiients later came down with rabies(!)

Since you mentioned the Red Cross, they're the last people I would give blood to.

Why? It seems they sell their blood to hospitals. http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/eek.gif

When I heard that, I started donating blood directly to a local hospital. Local hospitals save a small fortune by NOT buying blood from the Red Cross and other similiar agencies.

Dan

Time for L1011 and Gaucho to give blood.

Wish they would change the ridiculous rules about not giving blood if you were in Europe for six months or more.

I used to give every two months, than was told, "no thanks, you lived in Germany in 1982."

Bad, bad science.

The exact wording of the restriction is:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">You are not eligible to donate if, since 1980, you spent a total time of 3 months (UK - 6 months rest of western Europe) or more in any of these countries</font>

I'm not too sure if this is cumulative or not. However, in Canada the rules are more restrictive - not only is it a cumulative total, but it's 3 months for both UK and France, and 5 months for other western Europe countries.

It's that time again. Time to donate a pint.

Remember, by giving blood, you can check to see if your iron level is high.

Some of you new folks may want to read this thread from the beginning for a better understanding on why you should give blood.

Dan

Shameless bump.

Give blood. It's important.

I am astounded at the restrictions on giving blood if you lived in Europe. Total denial of BSE in the US ! Sorry then folks, that makes two reasons why your not getting my blood.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dhammer53:
Shameless bump.

Give blood. It's important.</font>

The "platelet" or "plasma" donation is called Apheresis (http://www.giveblood.redcross.org.au/Displayglossary.asp?pageID=60&NavigationID=97&ParentID=-1#glossary2). It generally takes about 40-60 minutes, and you don't feel any side effects, which can sometimes happen with a whole blood donation.

Donating blood is like having a regular check-up for free - you're weighed, blood pressure's taken, and you get a haemoglobin (ah hemoglobin for our US cousins http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif) count as well.

It's good for you, and more importantly, it's good for your community...

(spelling, spelling...)

[This message has been edited by willyroo (edited 10-02-2003).]

It's that time again. Time to donate a pint.

Remember, by giving blood, you can check to see if your iron level is high.

Some of you new folks may want to read this thread from the beginning for a better understanding on why you should give blood.

Dan

It's that time again.

It's that time again.

We're almost on the same schedule. :D

I'm donating next week. Makes me feel good, I'm doing something to benefit others!
My last donation was Dec. '03. The tech told me to go home & eat all I wanted 'cause when you give blood you lose about 2 lbs. & that my metabolisum would be reved up. I have a fast metabolisum anyway. (Thank you Lord) I went home, sat down to watch the news for about 30 mins., when I got up to start dinner for hubby I felt like I was going to pass out. I did this twice. Hubby ended up fixing my dinner. After dinner I snoozed for an hour and felt fine afterwards.
Went to the scales to weigh. I weighed 110, which is the minimum. I had lost 3 lbs. :)
What I learned from this experience: make sure I weigh MORE than 110, rest and eat a hearty meal afterwards.

I don't think they ask about this, but if you've ever had unexplained nerological symptoms then blood donation is contra-indicated.

It seems there once was someone diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis who was killed in a car crash. His corneas were dontacted and transplanted into two different recipients.

Both recipiients later came down with rabies(!)

I'm surprised no one questioned this statement when it was originally made.

How does MS equate to rabies? Please explain....

I'm surprised no one questioned this statement when it was originally made.

How does MS equate to rabies? Please explain....

It doesn't equate, only relates. AFAIK, it is still impossible to definitivly diagnose MS short of an autopsy. The diagnosis is based on symptomology and none-definitive signs like oligiclonal banding in the CSF.

The patient in question had presented with symptoms suggestive of MS.

Rabies also affects the CNS. I can only presume that the person in question was actually suffering from rabies and was mis-diagnosed.

This was told to me by a neurologist and a second neurologist standing nearby confirmed it. I haven't looked for a citation recently but couldn't find one when I last looked.

I wish I could.

I donated in December. In February I went to India on business. I'm now deferred for 6 months (malaria risk) and I'm likely to go to India within that time- I may end up deferred as long as I have this job. Really unfortunate- I'm gloriously healthy otherwise and would like to help those who aren't.

It doesn't equate, only relates. AFAIK, it is still impossible to definitivly diagnose MS short of an autopsy. The diagnosis is based on symptomology and none-definitive signs like oligiclonal banding in the CSF.

The patient in question had presented with symptoms suggestive of MS.

Rabies also affects the CNS. I can only presume that the person in question was actually suffering from rabies and was mis-diagnosed.

This was told to me by a neurologist and a second neurologist standing nearby confirmed it. I haven't looked for a citation recently but couldn't find one when I last looked.

Thanks for the clarification. I was just making sure that you weren't saying that individuals with MS could transmit rabies.

Some of us (*ahem*) might take that as a personal attack. ;)

Some of us (*ahem*) might take that as a personal attack. ;)

Some of us (*ahem*), might agree ;) :D

I am astounded at the restrictions on giving blood if you lived in Europe. Total denial of BSE in the US ! Sorry then folks, that makes two reasons why your not getting my blood.

I too am one of those the FDA thinks is carrying Mad (Moo!!!) Cow disease due to lengthy overseas residence. I have got to remember to donate blood thenext time I am in Europe. Surely they will take my blood? :confused:

Or am I considered contaminated by living under the Bush regime? ;)

Regardless of where I live, my travel patterns etc., I am not allowed to give blood period. I used to be a regular donor, aphersis as well, but because of one simple fact, I am gay, they don't want my blood.

Surely they could take it, screen it and use it. Yes safeguards need to be in place but with the tests around for HIV etc., why can't they check my blood, confirm it is ok and then use it. I have always found it appaling that a female can be friendly and unsafe and give blood regularly, while a gay male cannot give at all.

It's that time again. Time to donate a pint.

Remember, by giving blood, you can check to see if your iron level is high.

Some of you new folks may want to read this thread from the beginning for a better understanding on why you should give blood.

Dan


With all the bloodletting going on here these days, I suggest you take some time off from Omni and go give blood.

quote:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
".....Before they take your blood, the do a test of your 'iron'. Your iron level should be between 15 and 16. That's healthy. So today, my iron level was 17. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

When you give blood, you reduce your iron level. So by giving blood today, I was able to bring down my iron level.

I wouldn't even know that my iron level was high unless I gave blood, or went for a check-u....."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The body has a (usually wonderful) feedback mechanism and your blood iron level will be back to exactly where it started in a few days. There are more medically approved and efficient ways to lower blood iron levels (in addition to home blood-letting, leeches and visits to the neighberhood vampire.

I am not fond of the mega-organization called the Red Cross Assoc. Too many scandels and too much bureaurcracy. I occasionally give my blood to a smaller non-profit outfit in Delaware. Its much more user friendly and charges me a small annual fee too.

Lastly when giving blood, there are increasingly too many intrusive pages to read, questions to answer and overall invasion of my privacy. Each year I have to read more and more and answer more and and of my private life. Medical testing of the blood is still required (or it should be) to insure blood safety. Questions, travels, intimacy etc insure absolutely nothing toward any blood safety.

MisterNice

I had bad experiences giving blood. Back when I was in college many years ago, I gave blood a couple of times. Both times I passed out immediately afterwards. :(

Dear Colleagues,

As someone who deals with patients suffering from leukemias, lymphomas, and other blood-related cancers, I can tell you your donations of blood products are vitally important. Thank you so much for taking the time to volunteer.

I cannot tell you the number of patients whose lives have been saved - almost single-handedly - by platelets, plasma, and red blood cells obtained through volunteer donations.

For those of you who enjoy donating and have no ill effects, please consider contacting the local red cross (or your major cancer centers) to donote platelets. These are truly the life saving products for many cancer patients.

Also, we are in urgent need of donors to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program. By adding a tube which contains a few teaspoonsful of blood to your donation, your HLA typing will be placed in a national registry for cancer patients who require life-save bone marrow transplants. More information can be found here (http://www.marrow.org/). Folks of minority and multiple ethnic groups are especially encouraged to apply.

I wish I could.

I donated in December. In February I went to India on business. I'm now deferred for 6 months (malaria risk) and I'm likely to go to India within that time- I may end up deferred as long as I have this job. Really unfortunate- I'm gloriously healthy otherwise and would like to help those who aren't.
I was told you have to wait for 12 months afetr your return from India. In the last 10 years, I have gone to India once a year on an average. Whenever I have been away for India for more than 12 months I donate at the first opportunity. My last trip to India was in Nov 2002. I have been donating every two months since then. The last time I donated, May 23rd, I felt a liottle light headed later that night (I am diabetic). I called the number I had been given. They took my phone number nad had a a doctor calle me within a few minutes. He said that I shouldn't donate within two months before a trip overseas since he wanted me to be healthy on my trip abroad. My next trip oversdeas is expected to be in August, I think I will go ahead an donate in the next two weeks. I am B+ BTW.

Shameless bump

I gave blood approx. once every 56 days for years - from the time I entered college (1990) until about 1997. In 1997, they said that since I lived in the UK in 1992, I was banned for life from donating.

The thing I find interesting about blood donation is that although I frequently see news reports about shortages, I rarely if ever see an actual blood drive taking place. I work in a major downtown area - in a high-rise building - where you would think they'd set up shop at least once every 2 months. Haven't seen the Bloodmobile out doing its thing in ages though. Even if I was eligible to donate, I probably would only do it once a year - that's about how often I inadvertently stumble across a blood drive in process.

In the early '90's - in college - blood drives were everywhere. You saw them weekly if not more.

I gave blood approx. once every 56 days for years - from the time I entered college (1990) until about 1997. In 1997, they said that since I lived in the UK in 1992, I was banned for life from donating.

The thing I find interesting about blood donation is that although I frequently see news reports about shortages, I rarely if ever see an actual blood drive taking place. I work in a major downtown area - in a high-rise building - where you would think they'd set up shop at least once every 2 months. Haven't seen the Bloodmobile out doing its thing in ages though. Even if I was eligible to donate, I probably would only do it once a year - that's about how often I inadvertently stumble across a blood drive in process.

In the early '90's - in college - blood drives were everywhere. You saw them weekly if not more.

Here we have them about once a quarter. These are company sponsored and one receives a corporate gift for donating. I usually go about 4 times a year.

I gave blood approx. once every 56 days for years - from the time I entered college (1990) until about 1997. In 1997, they said that since I lived in the UK in 1992, I was banned for life from donating.

The thing I find interesting about blood donation is that although I frequently see news reports about shortages, I rarely if ever see an actual blood drive taking place. I work in a major downtown area - in a high-rise building - where you would think they'd set up shop at least once every 2 months. Haven't seen the Bloodmobile out doing its thing in ages though. Even if I was eligible to donate, I probably would only do it once a year - that's about how often I inadvertently stumble across a blood drive in process.

In the early '90's - in college - blood drives were everywhere. You saw them weekly if not more.
I have the same problem Lived in the UK. I was told sorry we can't use your blood. Does anyone know why?

Mad Cow's disease

If I may rant about the inconvenient hours the National Capital Area Red Cross sets aside for accepting blood donations. It's kind of difficult to donate if you work late and the hours set aside for giving are 8am to 2pm or 2pm to 7pm on weekdays at the downtown center. I asked one of the nurses once why they couldn't shift the schedule to be friendlier to working people and got an answer so obtuse it could have come from an airline CSR: "well, we need to go home some time too, you know."

I can donate on Saturday out in the suburbs, said the phone rep once. And if I don't have a car? "There might be taxis around" (emphasis mine). In other words, during weekdays when nobody can donate, they run a shuttle bus to go 5 blocks between the nearest Metro station to the downtown center. On weekends when employed people can give, they offer no way to get to the Fairfax donation center, a good 2.5 miles away from the near Metro (Vienna/Fairfax).

And they waste so much money sending me "thank-you" cards and "Type O hero" certificates and various tchotchkes even though I've requested on several occasions that they not do so. I don't give only 3 times a year because I don't get enough T-shirts, people. I could double that if you were just a weentsy bit more flexible, just staying open till 8pm one weeknight. But since my comment cards seem to be unacknowledged, maybe I really am the only one? Well, I guess it's not my problem. End rant. :(

Mad Cow's disease
does anyone know anything about that disease?

Time to give blood again.

Call your local hospital to donate a pint. ^

Bump, it is all I can do...

It's time for me to see what sort of blood drive I can find for about 2 weeks from now. Sadly, I'm having the issue of they run from 12-6 or some such, so I can't make it. I registered for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program years ago, and haven't been contacted by them, but will be if I ever match anyone. I'm hoping I do sometime, so I can help. I registered back then for a pint of blood, and they took the blood for the Marrow Donor program at the same time. They just drew a few extra tubes of blood at the end.

I actually miss giving blood.... had given religiously every two months since I was in high school.

But all that changed when I answered the questionnaire that I was gay.

Wonder if they will ever change that rule.

Glad to hear everyone here is donating...

William

Some of the disqualifying questions are just downright stupid :td:

I know a fair # of gay friends who lie to that question so they can continue to donate. They have been in stable relationships for years, so it's not like they are at any higher risk of AIDS than anyone in the general populace :confused:

If I may rant about the inconvenient hours the National Capital Area Red Cross sets aside for accepting blood donations. It's kind of difficult to donate if you work late and the hours set aside for giving are 8am to 2pm or 2pm to 7pm on weekdays at the downtown center.

I share that rant with you ... before moving to the DC area, I gave every 8 weeks on the dot, accumulating a couple of gallons fairly quickly. Since moving here, due to their hours, I have donated only when the bloodmobile has been in my office's neighborhood, which means 2-3x a year instead of 6x :(

The DC center is a fairly long walk from the Metro IIRC, and the Arlington one has had awful issues arranging any kind of appointment for me :rolleyes:


Here are a few other discussion items:

Would it make sense for the IRS to consider blood donations as deductible? The Red Cross, Inova, etc., aren't ever going to pay donors due to the abuses you'd see (and the sorts of high-risk donors you'd attract), but the IRS would allow a max of 6 donations a year to be deducted. Wouldn't that be a fair incentive for more people to donate? I guess it might still incentivate people to lie so they can continue to donate, though.

Why did they go from the "fill it out yourself" questionnaire to the "nurse asks you the questions" version? It takes twice as long as before that way, and it's not like the nurse reading them actually makes you pay that much more attention to the questions.

An elderly South African broke his own Guinness world record when he donated blood for the 350th time, inspired by the enduring memory of a terrible accident he witnessed as a child. The South African National Blood Service said in a statement that 79-year-old Maurice Creswick had cracked his own record for the fourteenth time and that he donated 480 ml of his blood every 56 days.

http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3359113a4560,00.html

I am like wharvey, gave blood every 3 or 4 months till I ticked off the form saying I was gay - oops, now it is no good :rolleyes: I refuse to lie on the form so just don't go back.

Truly sad. :(

Why did they go from the "fill it out yourself" questionnaire to the "nurse asks you the questions" version? It takes twice as long as before that way

This was not the case this morning at White Plains Hospital; when I got relieved of
a pint of A- . :o

They have such a soft touch there. I don't feel a thing.

Did you give blood recently? Today is a good day to start.

Dan

So, when I give my blood for free, who's making money on it? Someone is. Do the hospitals that use it pay for it? If so, then whom to they pay? The government? Great, so it's another form of taxation, based on what I donate for free. If the hospitals don't pay, then whoopie, they get to make profit from my free donation.

I'm giving it for free, but it has value, so who's getting the monetary value out of it? :confused:

You give for free, but there is overhead in collecting, processing, and consuming it. Administration, screening, storage, transportation, etc...

A better question would be "is someone making an unreasonable profit anywhere"?

Well, as much as I'd like to (O type here), I can't. Thanks to biased guidelines. So... oh well. Next.

So, when I give my blood for free, who's making money on it? Someone is. Do the hospitals that use it pay for it? If so, then whom to they pay? The government? Great, so it's another form of taxation, based on what I donate for free. If the hospitals don't pay, then whoopie, they get to make profit from my free donation.

I'm giving it for free, but it has value, so who's getting the monetary value out of it? :confused:

Ben,

If you give blood at a non-hospital, like say the Hudson Valley Blood Bank in the NY area, the HVBB sells the blood to the hospitals. The hospitals pay a pretty penny for blood.

When you give blood at a hospital, they don't have to buy blood on the open market. Hmmm. ;)

This is why hospitals go out on blood drives.

BTW, you're not clear if in fact you give blood? :confused:

Gave Saturday 10/15/05. I think this is probably my 6th maybe 7th time over life time.

Stats:
0+
BP: 102/66
HR: 72

Quickly filled the bag.

Its all psychological - things have to go right -i.e. good staff at blood center, good stick (don't even THINK of moving it around once it is in, otherwise I start crossing legs, fidging and trying to not start sweating).

Ben,

If you give blood at a non-hospital, like say the Hudson Valley Blood Bank in the NY area, the HVBB sells the blood to the hospitals. The hospitals pay a pretty penny for blood.

So, in this case, the blood bank makes a profit off my free donation. :td:

When you give blood at a hospital, they don't have to buy blood on the open market. Hmmm. ;)

This is why hospitals go out on blood drives.

So, in this case, the hospital make a profit off my free donation. :td:

So, in this case, the hospital make a profit off my free donation. :td:

It's more like the hospital saved a small fortune by not purchasing blood.

Answer to my question please... have you given blood? When?

Maybe we can have a New York BloodDo. :D

Imagine what would happen to the price that the hospital charges people for a pint if no one donated.

Synthetic blood is not advanced enough to cover the shortfall.

Please give. Someday, you may need a pint or two.

..had hepatitis as a kiddie so they wont take it.

It's a shame that the Red Cross has this outdated rule when donating blood:

HIV, AIDS
You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

You are at risk for getting infected if you:

* have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
* are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
* have ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977
* have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above

It's a shame that the Red Cross has this outdated rule when donating blood:

HIV, AIDS
You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

You are at risk for getting infected if you:

* have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
* are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
* have ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977
* have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described aboveI recell last time I gave blood, they were giving people the third degree about which countried they had visited. I think that even the UK was on the "Danger" list!

I recell last time I gave blood, they were giving people the third degree about which countried they had visited. I think that even the UK was on the "Danger" list!

I believe previous posts have covered this to be MCD...

I recell last time I gave blood, they were giving people the third degree about which countried they had visited. I think that even the UK was on the "Danger" list!

It is. If you've lived there for longer than about 6 months, you're banned. I found this out when I tried to donate a few years ago - I lived in the UK in 1992 but was not there during any of their mad cow outbreaks. I believe they think I could still be a mad cow carrier almost 15 years later.

Anyone ever give platelets? I'm donating platelets later in the week.

I've never done this before because the collection center was far away. Currently, there is a local canvas going on for a local teenager who needs platelets. She has a life threatening disease.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City is collecting platelets in 'Maddie's' name. They also will pay for parking.

If anyone is in the NY Metro area, call Marion at the hospital and say you want to donate for Maddie.
212 639-3335

It is. If you've lived there for longer than about 6 months, you're banned. I found this out when I tried to donate a few years ago - I lived in the UK in 1992 but was not there during any of their mad cow outbreaks. I believe they think I could still be a mad cow carrier almost 15 years later.
Yup. I've tried to give blood a couple of times when there's been a blood drive at a convention I was attending. The response has always been "We don't want your blood, you stinky mad cow Englishman" :(

Yup. I've tried to give blood a couple of times when there's been a blood drive at a convention I was attending. The response has always been "We don't want your blood, you stinky mad cow Englishman" :(

Visiting Delhi is going to make me ineligible for a year. :(

Are there any organizations in the US that are less malaria-phobic?

It is. If you've lived there for longer than about 6 months, you're banned. I found this out when I tried to donate a few years ago - I lived in the UK in 1992 but was not there during any of their mad cow outbreaks. I believe they think I could still be a mad cow carrier almost 15 years later.


Since they won't take my tainted mad cow blood in the USA, I try to give blood whenever I get home to Britain, but that's not always easy during a short family visit. There certainly won't be time during my 12/23-26 trip.

I'm overdue to donate a pint.

dh

On my next donation, I will earn my 11 gallon pin (88 donations total).

I lived in Europe during the mad-cow nonsense, so I don't think I can give blood.

58 day bump.

When was the last time you gave blood?

Hey. I have an idea just for you.

For those of you working in an office, why don't you give a call to the local hospital/blood bank; and organize a blood drive. @:-)

Simple to do, and you'll be a hero. @:-)

I lived in Europe during the mad-cow nonsense, so I don't think I can give blood.I am also permanently disqualified until they can determine if my five months in the UK twenty years ago is still a problem. I was up to about three gallons before I was DQ'd. :(

We just had a fellow retire from my company that was over 400 donations. He has been a super-donor for platelets for the last several years, so he can go in more often. Impressive. ^

Anyone ever give platelets? I'm donating platelets later in the week.

I've never done this before because the collection center was far away. Currently, there is a local canvas going on for a local teenager who needs platelets. She has a life threatening disease.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City is collecting platelets in 'Maddie's' name. They also will pay for parking.

If anyone is in the NY Metro area, call Marion at the hospital and say you want to donate for Maddie.
212 639-3335

Did you do the platelet donation? I used to be an aphersis donor when I was fresh out of university, then the AIDS epidemic hit and I was disqualified :( (no I don't have the disease but the whole gay thing still freaks them out).

I didn't mind being an aphersis donor as I have a rare blood type and at that time was a perfect match to a girl with leukemia.

If the Canadian Blood Services would let me, I would donate tomorrow.

Did you do the platelet donation?

Yes. But the platelets trickled out ever so slowly that eventually, they pulled the plug (so to speak). :(

Yes. But the platelets trickled out ever so slowly that eventually, they pulled the plug (so to speak). :(

A normal platelet donation is 3 hrs, were you longer than that?

most sincerely 'thank you'. You never know all the good that you do. One of my dear friends quite suddenly needed 10 units of blood due to an ulcer. Thanks to people like you, the blood was ready and waiting to save her life.

I just barely started donating regularly and gave for my fifth time last Wednesday. Luckily I'm only in my 20s and still have plenty of time to join the multi-gallon clubs...I hope.

A normal platelet donation is 3 hrs, were you longer than that?

After 30-45 minutes of barely a trickle, they stopped. I was told that a small percentage of folks donating, have trouble parting with their platelets.

Donation: 04/14/06 Carmel, IN Indiana Blood Center. 1 unit whole blood 0+. Prior donation: 01/13/06.

Issues: None really - second nurse had to poke around after needle went into the arm (not my favorite activity) but then it was done in about 15 minutes.

BP: 132/78 HR: 56 TEMP: 98.0

Food: Coke, two oatmeal cookies.

Activity: Chatting with nurse (?) and ready WSJ.

They continue to defer people for ridiculous reasons, several of which have been noted here. Therefore, I assume they don't really need any blood, so don't bother.

They continue to defer people for ridiculous reasons, several of which have been noted here. Therefore, I assume they don't really need any blood, so don't bother.

Please don't spread bad information.

On my next donation, I will earn my 11 gallon pin (88 donations total).

You have saved lives.

Please don't spread bad information.

Nope, I'm serious. Even the military drags out kicking out the homosexuals when they need them. The blood banks must be doing fine and not need any blood if they are going to turn away so many people for arbitrary reasons. I don't support blood drives.

The part I think is rather ridiculous is the questionaire. It seems they keep adding questions. I wouldn't be suprised if they added this:

Have you ever, since 1985, resided in the Southern Hemisphere for a period not less than 4 months and witnessed at least 1, but fewer than, 6 lunar eclipses and/or solar eclipses and/or full moons?

Note to self, time to call. :D

dh

I used to donate blood but had to stop several years ago :(

Nothing wrong with me, but apparently my blood false positive'd with one of the tests (wouldn't tell me which test).

There was never any concern about my health because they did follow up tests on my blood and they were clean, but the expense of doing the secondary tests and throwing away the blood (if the primary test failed, then they had to discard the donation regardless of any follow up testing) meant my donations were useless. This happened 2 or 3 times out of about 4 donations I believe. They were never able to give a reason why my blood False positive'd on the tests.

I can donate again when they change the testing agent. Not sure if they have or not but will try again in a year or so and see how I go.

I also had a high iron reading and had been giving blood for 2 years. Now my iron level is back to normal so I won't be giving blood for a while.

After being stabbed by the blood bank needle the little needle that I got for the flu shot was nothing.

And by the way you get used to the needle jab after the second donation.

Here we go again... :rolleyes:

I just donated blood today, while at work. Not a problem, other than I wasn't expecting to (I forgot they were having a blood drive today) so I wasn't well hydrated.

I used to donate blood but had to stop several years ago :(

Nothing wrong with me, but apparently my blood false positive'd with one of the tests (wouldn't tell me which test).In my case it was a liver enzyme that they use as a quick check for Hepatitis. The secondary test was false but the Red Cross told me some time ago to stop bothering.

Since then they've generated the UK residency screen and I technically fail that one as well. If you lived more than -- I forget the exact duration -- 3 or 6 months in the UK in the early 80's they don't want your blood because of the non-zero risk of Mad Cow disease.

Quarterly bump. :eek: :p :o

dh

Still ineligible for about 4 more months due to my visit to India last year. :(

Still ineligible for about 4 more months due to my visit to India last year. :(

CNN is now saying the feds are fining the Red Cross $4.2 million for not always asking the questions and potentially not always doing all tests on blood.

What annoyed me is when the Red Cross went from letting you answer the questions yourself to having the nurse ask them all to you (presumably to ensure people pay attention to them). For those who give blood frequently, it's really annoying to have to say, "No, no, no, no, no," to each one. It's even more annoying to have to have them look up the same code each time for OK'ing foreign travel to non-CJD, non-malarial regions. I'm often tempted to just lie on that question to avoid the hassle.

CNN is now saying the feds are fining the Red Cross $4.2 million for not always asking the questions and potentially not always doing all tests on blood.

What annoyed me is when the Red Cross went from letting you answer the questions yourself to having the nurse ask them all to you (presumably to ensure people pay attention to them). For those who give blood frequently, it's really annoying to have to say, "No, no, no, no, no," to each one. It's even more annoying to have to have them look up the same code each time for OK'ing foreign travel to non-CJD, non-malarial regions. I'm often tempted to just lie on that question to avoid the hassle.

My pre-donation interview often takes half an hour or more as they look up all the countries I've visited and then look at the cities in some cases. No history is kept, so every interview is always entertaining.

I should just bring my passport and point to the relevant stamps.

Remember to vote before/after you donate a pint.

dh

So I made a unplanned donation at the blood bank (01/29/2007) (the Goodyear shop next door was checking my tires). I was overdue for a donation anyway since they've been emailing me to remind to donate again.

Anyway - as I am giving whole blood I see a note that talks about Apheresis. Anyone donate with this method? What's the difference? Is it any better to donate Aspheresis versus whole blood?

Anyone donate with this method?
Yes, I do.
What's the difference?
Apheresis donations take a lot longer. From the time I start filling out the form until I've had my last donut at the canteen is usually about 2.5 to 3 hrs. (whole blood donations generally take about an hour). For the apheresis donation they hook you up to a machine that draws your blood out, extracts components(Platelets, red cells, plasma or some combination thereof) then returns your blood into your body.
Is it any better to donate Aspheresis versus whole blood?
Because the blood is returned to your circulatory system, your body can regenerate the missing components faster than replacing replacing a pint of whole blood. Therefore, you can donate more often (every 2 weeks for apherisis vs 8 weeks for whole blood) resulting over time in a much larger net to the blood bank.
If you can afford the time, the potential is there to help a lot more people by donating more often.^
Plus, you can reach "elite status" in your blood banks donor program faster.:D

PS-
The nurse at my blood bank told me that:
If everybody that is eligble to donate blood were to donate just once each year, there would never be another blood shortage! ^

While you're doing your spring cleaning, don't forget to donate a pint.

dh

While you're doing your spring cleaning, don't forget to donate a pint.

dh

No.

I did a double donation this week. This was the first time I did this.

The process took a little longer since they had to collect 2 units of fluid and then return one unit of fluid without the red blood cells. The anti-coagulent felt a little weird (cool, numbing sensation to arm and face) but overall, not too bad at all.

I will be deferred for another year when I return to India :mad: so I'm glad I was able to help out while I still could.

I did a double donation this week. This was the first time I did this.

The process took a little longer since they had to collect 2 units of fluid and then return one unit of fluid without the red blood cells. The anti-coagulent felt a little weird (cool, numbing sensation to arm and face) but overall, not too bad at all.

I will be deferred for another year when I return to India :mad: so I'm glad I was able to help out while I still could.

I'm not allowed to donate, so I am grateful to those who can and do.

I'm not allowed to donate, so I figure they don't really need blood all that much. :(

I'm not allowed to donate, so I figure they don't really need blood all that much. :(

Neither am I.

A man who had protected sex with a man just once since 1977 can't give blood. A man who had unprotected sex with10 girls in the last month can.

So forgive me if I hear the red cross talk about the blood shortage and fail to feel sorry. If I know I have a surgery coming up I start donating for myself, but that's it.

Yes, I think these "shortages" are manufactured to periodically drum up donations, just to create a sense of urgency around a campaign. If there were actually any remote threat of a real shortage in our blood supply, then they'd stop wasting and turning away donations.

It has been suggested that I not donate either. As a potential recipient I cannot fault their reasoning, even if it is ultimately misplaced.

Given the number of people who donate against medical recommendation, I will use autologous transfusions if I have the time to prepare for it.

So I contribute elsewhere, as I can.

Those of you who can and do donate have my respect.

Well, it's rare that I get to address large numbers of anonymous people on this subject, so I will. On behalf of myself and my family, allow me to thank all of you donors out there.

My son is one of those people with leukemia that PHLBuddy is referring to. He was diagnosed over 3 years ago in January, and is a few months away from end of treatment.

Over the course of his treatment, his life has been saved by the anonymous donors of the 20+ transfusions he has had, of red blood cells and platelets.

So, on behalf of all those who have really needed it, I thank you. Please keep donating.






Dear Colleagues,

As someone who deals with patients suffering from leukemias, lymphomas, and other blood-related cancers, I can tell you your donations of blood products are vitally important. Thank you so much for taking the time to volunteer.

I cannot tell you the number of patients whose lives have been saved - almost single-handedly - by platelets, plasma, and red blood cells obtained through volunteer donations.

For those of you who enjoy donating and have no ill effects, please consider contacting the local red cross (or your major cancer centers) to donote platelets. These are truly the life saving products for many cancer patients.

Also, we are in urgent need of donors to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program. By adding a tube which contains a few teaspoonsful of blood to your donation, your HLA typing will be placed in a national registry for cancer patients who require life-save bone marrow transplants. More information can be found here (http://www.marrow.org/). Folks of minority and multiple ethnic groups are especially encouraged to apply.

As a gay person, with Leukemia, who needs blood, I'd have to say that I'd rather people speak out against the need for changes in donation criteria, while at the still time donating blood. Boycotting by not donating puts lives at risk, and while that might seem like a worthwhile risk to you, it isn't to me.

They continue to defer people for ridiculous reasons, several of which have been noted here. Therefore, I assume they don't really need any blood, so don't bother.

Nope, I'm serious. Even the military drags out kicking out the homosexuals when they need them. The blood banks must be doing fine and not need any blood if they are going to turn away so many people for arbitrary reasons. I don't support blood drives.

Yes, I think these "shortages" are manufactured to periodically drum up donations, just to create a sense of urgency around a campaign. If there were actually any remote threat of a real shortage in our blood supply, then they'd stop wasting and turning away donations.


Then you've obviously never had to go home, and come back the next day, because of a low hemoglobin, because they didn't have enough blood in stock at the hospital. They often keep rarer types at centralized blood banks, and distribute them on an as needed basis.

I've personally had to have around 30 RBC and Platelet transfusions since I was diagnosed at the beginning of December. I can't begin to express my gratitude for the people that gave their time, and a day or two of energy to help save my life.

So, your suggestion is that I lie and evade the blood bank's screening system?

I do not boycott donating blood, I am prohibited from doing so.

As for speaking out for the need for changes in donation criteria, I thought that was what I was doing. I honestly believe that there are many people who read this thread who had no idea that gay and bisexual men are prohibited from donating blood of any type, and they need to be informed.

I'm truly sorry for your situation, and I will reconsider my approach in light of the supply of rare blood types (although, I have an honest question: Are you describing an actual shortage or just the effects of a logistical problem regarding rare blood types? More precisely, are you turned away because the central blood bank was short or because the hospital didn't order properly for your appointment?).

However, regarding the overall blood supply, I do believe everything you quoted me as saying. I believe if a systemic crisis existed, then we'd see this problem solved once for and all. If they kept this discriminatory system in place in the face of real shortages, then I wouldn't know how to describe that kind of evil. Of course, given the opposition to stem cell research that could also save your life, I probably should adjust my thinking to accept that possibility.

Good luck on beating this.

in the UK, they acutally publish the current blood stocks available
http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/stocklevel.html

And I was meant to be giving on Monday, but have a bug, so won't be allowed :(

(forgive me in advance for the choppy response, I'm on an odd chemo cycle right now, so I'm awake, but not entirely!)

The Blood is technically available from the central blood bank, but only small quantities are requested in advance, because if it isn't used, it's wasted - so keeping it in the central bank increases availability. So on this particular occasion, there were more people needing A+ than they had, and they wouldn't have known until everyone had bloodwork done. Thankfully, the next day, blood was sent over.

As for scarcity, having worked, for 7 years prior to getting sick for a large cancer center as a Clinical Trial Manager (and subsequently for a National Cancer Institute sponsored Non-Profit), I'm pretty familiar with the way blood banks operate. My mother also ran the board of an ARC chapter for about 10 years, and was the Director of Nursing for a large regional blood bank in the early 90's - blood shortages really do exist. They're often called slightly in advance of the actual problem, but over the past few years, the frequency has grown. The supply level has minumum accepable levels.

So, your suggestion is that I lie and evade the blood bank's screening system?

Not at all - despite the arcane rules, I think lying on a blood donor form would be awful.

I do not boycott donating blood, I am prohibited from doing so.

It seemed in your earlier post that you thought an overall boycott might open some ears, I may have misinterpreted it.

If they kept this discriminatory system in place in the face of real shortages, then I wouldn't know how to describe that kind of evil. Of course, given the opposition to stem cell research that could also save your life, I probably should adjust my thinking to accept that possibility.

Sadly, a lot of these things have more to do with narrow minded politicians, than a real risk. The other factor that I think may affect any chance for changing this is the major popularity in barbacking spurred by the surge in crystal meth use over the past few years - which, while largely ignored by major media, and health officials, still seems to have spread enough to keep an anti-gay buzz going. It's used as an argument against changing the guidelines, and while it's happening among a fractional group (and probably among people who would be unlikely to donate blood anyway) when you have people who are already on a moral judgement fence, they only need a small push to say no. They can see a problem within the community, but not do anything to support it. I also don't understand why they think, if asked, gay men who were at risk of donating contaminated blood would lie, and attempt to donate at a greater rate.

Stem Cell research is a whole other topic, my anger about which could flow for days - not specifically related to myself, mind you.

What is interesting, is that as far as I can tell, being gey isn't a specific exclusion for stem cell, or bone marrow donation.

Good luck on beating this.

Thanks, I appreciate that! :D

jholiiday, most sincere good luck!

It seemed in your earlier post that you thought an overall boycott might open some ears, I may have misinterpreted it.

To be clear, I did say that I don't support blood drives. I do not give money, time, or publicity to them. FWIW, I do think that an overall boycott would open some ears, but fortunately, it sounds like a little bit of the message is slowly getting through without the need for that kind of call.

From March of last year:
http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=660

The lifetime ban on gay men donating blood may be eased to a 12-month deferral if scientific evidence presented at a March 8 workshop in Bethesda, Maryland is turned into policy guidance by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the major players in the blood products industry now support that position.

...

This time around the Red Cross fell into line and in a joint statement presented by AABB senior medical adviser Steven Kleinman, the three organizations called the lifetime ban for gay men "medically and scientifically unwarranted." It recommended making the deferral criteria the same for all high-risk groups.

They also warned the FDA, "The continued requirement for a deferral standard seen as scientifically marginal and unfair or discriminatory by individuals with identified characteristics may motivate them to actively ignore the prohibition and provide blood collection facilities with less accurate information."

An additional concern is that grassroots opposition to the ban has arisen in high schools and on college campuses across the country over what many see as a discriminatory policy. That has made it more difficult to conduct blood drives among younger volunteers and establish patterns of regular donations that can last a lifetime.

So, it sounds like their support for a senseless, discriminatory policy is hurting them, and that is causing a change in the ARC position.

Now, I nor any gay man I know have any intention of abstaining from sex with men for any 12-month period, so it won't change our ability to donate. The proposed policy will still be discriminatory and without scientific merit, but it would be a step in the right direction if the FDA were to accept it.

Even if this change occurs, a straight man or woman who has multiple anonymous and unsafe sexual encounters per night every day for a year can donate blood without a problem and a gay man who has engaged in no high-risk behavior for years will still be turned away.

All it would take is to replace this question with a question about specific high-risk behavior and defer those people. I can't imagine why anyone would oppose that except for discriminatory reasons.

I gave blood again today; Its been 10 visits in 2.5 years. the needle jab is not so bad; still a heap of questions to fill out; the biscuits and the cheese were nice; I should stay longer to eat more. The blood bank in the city has more food but the van that goes around my area is easier to get to and I recognize some of the staff and they recognize me which is good.

I also gave blood on Wednesday (04/04/07) - they had to centrifuge my blood to test the iron (?) levels before my donation. No issues!

97.0
110/64
54

The lifetime ban on gay men donating blood may be eased to a 12-month deferral if scientific evidence presented at a March 8 workshop in Bethesda, Maryland is turned into policy guidance by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the major players in the blood products industry now support that position.

FDA Keeps Gay Men Banned From Donating Blood (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3205445)

Gay men remain banned for life from donating blood, the government said Wednesday, leaving in place for now a 1983 prohibition meant to prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions.

The Food and Drug Administration reiterated its long-standing policy on its Web site Wednesday, more than a year after the Red Cross and two other blood groups criticized the policy as "medically and scientifically unwarranted."

"I am disappointed, I must confess," said Dr. Celso Bianco, executive vice president of America's Blood Centers, whose members provide nearly half the nation's blood supply.

Before giving blood, all men are asked if they have had sex, even once, with another man since 1977. Those who say they have are permanently banned from donating. The FDA said those men are at increased risk of infection by HIV that can be transmitted to others by blood transfusion.

In March 2006, the Red Cross, the international blood association AABB and America's Blood Centers proposed replacing the lifetime ban with a one-year deferral following male-to-male sexual contact. New and improved tests, which can detect HIV-positive donors within just 10 to 21 days of infection, make the lifetime ban unnecessary, the blood groups told the FDA.

In a document posted Wednesday, the FDA said it would change its policy if given data that show doing so wouldn't pose a "significant and preventable" risk to blood recipients.
><snip><
FDA Policy on Blood Donations from Men Who Have Sex with Other Men (http://www.fda.gov/cber/faq/msmdonor.htm)

Ridiculous. :td: The FDA has been simply an extension of the "moral" positions of the current administration - Re: Morning-After pill going non-prescription, etc.

All the while, the population of sexually active persons at GREATEST risk for contracting HIV is heterosexuals! Outreach and education programs in the gay community WORKED. It's about time the Bush administration recognize this and give up the amazingly retarded idea of "abstinence only" sexual education amongst America's youth. :td:

I went to donate a pint earlier in the week. How about you? :cool:

This was the first time that my A- had a problem leaving my body. :eek:
The nurse was able to get a half pint before she gave up. Seems it's a full pint; or, your blood can't be accepted. :(

Yeah - It's a shame they don't have the ability to collect, or at least store half units. Very often, patients are given a split unit (or a whole unit divided into two bags) as they don't always need the whole thing at once, or at all... so I'm not sure why they can't collect that way...


This was the first time that my A- had a problem leaving my body. :eek:
The nurse was able to get a half pint before she gave up. Seems it's a full pint; or, your blood can't be accepted. :(

gave 3 days ago (and have been giving for 30 years). i live 1 1/2 blocks from the blood center and they call me every 8 weeks. i told them if they could only figure out how to run a long tube from my balcony, then they could simply call me and then tell me "time to hook up" ;)

Another trip to India has earned me another 12 month disqualification. :(

I wish they'd come up with a better test for malaria.

Another trip to India has earned me another 12 month disqualification. :(

I wish they'd come up with a better test for malaria.

At least that's better than the situation I'm in--I actually caught it. My understanding at the time was that that was a permanent disqualification. Some time back I learned that it was only for a period of years but I disagree with that--I had a flareup after more than 20 years.

BTW, men are inclined to store iron, while women are not!

Absolutely positively NOT TRUE and a very dangerous statement to make.

Which leads me to my question for PHLbuddy:


Dear Colleagues,

For those of you who enjoy donating and have no ill effects, please consider contacting the local red cross (or your major cancer centers) to donote platelets. These are truly the life saving products for many cancer patients.

Also, we are in urgent need of donors to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program. By adding a tube which contains a few teaspoonsful of blood to your donation, your HLA typing will be placed in a national registry for cancer patients who require life-save bone marrow transplants. More information can be found here (http://www.marrow.org/). Folks of minority and multiple ethnic groups are especially encouraged to apply.

When are blood banks going to recognize that hemochromatosis should not be a disqualifying condition for blood donation?

I donate blood every two months at my local hospital, and on the advice of my hemotologist, I simply do not tell them I have hemochromatosis. My donations have never been rejected, and my hemotolgist assures me there is absolutely nothing wrong with my blood. Blood donation helps both me and the patients who receive it, but if I were to mention hemochromatosis at the blood center, I would be permanently banned from donating.

Why, exactly, is that?

Another trip to India has earned me another 12 month disqualification. :(

I wish they'd come up with a better test for malaria.

I'm doing a Peru trip in September, so I'm about to have my first deferral myself. I'm kind of bummed because the woman who usually takes my blood is pretty hot and a big flirt. :D

Time to donate a pint. @:-)

I would if I could, but my blood is dirty.

Two guys who have been monagamous for 30 years - nope, can't have that. A frat boy who does the entire cheerleading team is good to go...

I keep meaning to unsubscribe from this thread just because it's such a slap in the face every time it gets bumped, but I also always want to make sure people know the same thing JakiChan is complaining about.

So, thanks for the reminder that the government thinks I'm diseased scum! Appreciate it!

Yup - rejected until 07/08 - finished up my healthy subject Alzheimers clinical trial in IND for Lilly and can't donate for a year!

I gave two weeks ago, and for some reason it took forever! I think I had a less-than-competent tech who used a really small needle, so it was in my arm for nearly 45 minutes. Never had that happen before!

To Robb and everyone else who is discriminated against for purely political (and "moral") reasons: It infuriates me, too, and it won't change until at least January 2009. Here's hoping it does. What a ridiculous, wasteful, harmful rule.

On a somewhat related note, a friend of mine used to give blood every 8 weeks without fail. Then his blood sample erroneously tested positive for hepatitis and they gave him a lifetime ban, even though he never had hepatitis and subsequent tests confirmed that. He says that's the end of his do-gooding.

He says that's the end of his do-gooding.

Yeah, that's kind of how I feel. When the ARC asks me for money I just ignore them. I know it's not their policy but still. And whenever there's a blood drive at work it just pisses me off. I've been known to put post-it's on the flyers saying "gays need not apply" just to make the point...

Then his blood sample erroneously tested positive for hepatitis and they gave him a lifetime ban, even though he never had hepatitis and subsequent tests confirmed that. He says that's the end of his do-gooding.

That's pretty much how I feel about giving blood now. While they never would tell me what I false positive'd on and told me that a secondary test came up clean, I have since had many tests (for other reasons) to make sure everything is ok with me.

I still han't been back since, but am pretty sure they'll still false positive on my blood every now and again and give me a 'caution' about giving blood. It's really not worth the hassle for me. The other option is to call and chat to one of their nurses who may or may not be able to give me information about whether the tests have changed, and what I may or may not have tested positive to. I think their answer may be to avoid giving blood 'just to be on the safe side' :rolleyes:

This thread is not bumped to annoy the small percentage of people that can't give blood. It's bumped to remind the majority that giving blood is the right thing to do.

Time to donate a pint. @:-)

What will you pay me?

I would if I could, but my blood is dirty.

Two guys who have been monagamous for 30 years - nope, can't have that. A frat boy who does the entire cheerleading team is good to go...

While the restrictions, as stated, are stupid, your counter-stereotyping of straights isn't so nice either...

While the restrictions, as stated, are stupid, your counter-stereotyping of straights isn't so nice either...

Especially since I strongly suspect that many drunk frat boys just end up doing each other... :D ;)

I have just read every post on this thread. I admire others who are giving and willing to go through some pain to benefit another human.
While I am sure some believe that blood saves lives I know first hand that blood transfusions are dangerous. Dangerous for the same reasons some of you are complaining; screening out all those who have transmitable diseases. Often the screening process is highly inadequate. Subsequenty I had a friend die directly caused by a blood transfusion given needlessly by a doctor. Blood is money to medical instutions and doctors as it adds to the bill of patients.
Think I am wrong. Then why are there more and more bloodless hospitals than ever before?
http://www.sabm.org/hospitals/
Sorry if this offends your chosen action to help humanity but this threads needs a little balancing out.

This thread is not bumped to annoy the small percentage of people that can't give blood. It's bumped to remind the majority that giving blood is the right thing to do.

It doesn't seem to be such a small percentage now, does it?

I think the thread should be closed. It's as exclusionary as the Community Thread that only wanted to include people under 30.

While the restrictions, as stated, are stupid, your counter-stereotyping of straights isn't so nice either...

He didn't stereotype straights at all. He just pointed out that someone who fit that description wouldn't be deferred even though they clearly should be according to the logic. How does that stereotype all straights or even all frat boys?

It doesn't seem to be such a small percentage now, does it?


Why? B/C there are a number of folks complaining about current policy? Does that somehow alter the percentages in population as a whole? :confused:

I think the thread should be closed. It's as exclusionary as the Community Thread that only wanted to include people under 30.

Now you're just being silly. Giving blood is a good and valuable thing, and it's a pity more people cannot participate. In the meantime, pouting about not getting your own way shouldn't be part of the program.

O/H

Why? B/C there are a number of folks complaining about current policy? Does that somehow alter the percentages in population as a whole? :confused:



Now you're just being silly. Giving blood is a good and valuable thing, and it's a pity more people cannot participate. In the meantime, pouting about not getting your own way shouldn't be part of the program.

O/H

Uh-huh, and if they said "No black blood" or "No jew blood" you'd feel the same about using FlyerTalk to promote it?

This is not about getting my own way. This thread is offensive every time it's bumped. Many universities and businesses are withdrawing support from blood drives for the very reason of the discriminatory nature of the deferral policy.

As others have pointed out, getting blood is a profitable and corporate thing. The entire system needs to be overhauled, and until it is, I don't think that FlyerTalk should be supporting it.

BTW, if you still think it's such a small percentage then understand that in 2005, the head of the New England Red Cross stated that "if half of the gay men who have been banned were to give blood, then we'd have no blood shortage."

This is about politics, not an artificial shortage of blood.

Giving blood is a good and valuable thing, and it's a pity more people cannot participate.

No it is not a good and valuable thing. Maybe it was 50 years ago, if even then.

Do we have any doctors on the OMNI forum? Please voice up and confirm that modern technology greatly diminishes the value of a blood transfusion. The only force that has kept blood transfusions as a choice is the money it generates. Therefore, it is in the interests of those who make the money to make it sound like a good and valuable thing.

Thousands of educated doctors know that danger a blood transfusion presents:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=10389406&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

No it is not a good and valuable thing. Maybe it was 50 years ago, if even then.

Do we have any doctors on the OMNI forum? Please voice up and confirm that modern technology greatly diminishes the value of a blood transfusion. The only force that has kept blood transfusions as a choice is the money it generates. Therefore, it is in the interests of those who make the money to make it sound like a good and valuable thing.

Thousands of educated doctors know that danger a blood transfusion presents:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=10389406&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

Thank you for this voice of reason.

Uh-huh, and if they said "No black blood" or "No jew blood" you'd feel the same about using FlyerTalk to promote it?

Spare me the drama. :rolleyes: If there were a rational basis for such exclusions, then I wouldn't have a problem with them. If we have arrived at a point at which there is no longer for gay men, then I am fine with the removal of the ban. *shrugs*

Question: do you think there should be *any* deferrals for the possible presence of blood borne pathogens?


This is not about getting my own way. This thread is offensive every time it's bumped.

First, I am not sure people have a "right not to be offended", and, second, if you find blood donation "offensive", I think you have a point, if you think that blood donation is a good thing, and gays should not be excluded from the pool of eligible donors, then, I'm sorry, but it very much smacks of, "Waah! It's my ball and I'm going home!"


Many universities and businesses are withdrawing support from blood drives for the very reason of the discriminatory nature of the deferral policy.

I suspect there are other factors involved, i.e. Political correctness and pressure tactics.


As others have pointed out, getting blood is a profitable and corporate thing. The entire system needs to be overhauled, and until it is, I don't think that FlyerTalk should be supporting it.

Either you think there is value in donations or your do not. If, like Clincher, you do not, then say so. If you do, and then, AFAIAC, you don't have a leg to stand on.

O/H

I never expected this thread to turn into an Omni fight.

I just hope that those of you that think this thread is a waste of time, never need a pint of blood.

Rather than 'fight' on this thread, some of you need to write your Member of Congress or Senator. @:-)
Bring pressure on them to change the law (if this is your opinion).

I never expected this thread to turn into an Omni

Huh? Don't you know the First Immutable Law of OMNI? Any thread will degenerate into a bicker fest if it grows more than five pages, unless it's an OWOT thread.

While the restrictions, as stated, are stupid, your counter-stereotyping of straights isn't so nice either...

I didn't say *all* straights are drunken frat boys. I'm just pointing out that the current restrictions would allow a promiscuous straight person, who has had multiple unsafe sexual encounters in the month prior to donating (and thus wouldn't show up on a standard HIV test) to donate, while prohibiting a man who has been celibate since 1990 (and tested multiple times since then) from donating. The logic escapes me.

It's behavior that causes STDs and not simply your sexual preference. The current policy speaks less of safety and more of bigotry.

If we have arrived at a point at which there is no longer for gay men, then I am fine with the removal of the ban. *shrugs*

I think there should be a ban for people who have unprotected sex outside of a committed relationship. *THAT* is logical.

Giving blood is a good thing and I encourage people to do it. However, when presented with blood drives I prefer to make sure that the people who can donate are reminded of the institutionalized homophobia present in the current system.

I just hope that those of you that think this thread is a waste of time, never need a pint of blood.

Why?

I gave blood again today; it took almost 2 hours; they were so slow; partly due that they were understaffed but also the amount of questions that need to be answered. I probably don't want to go back.

Along with the normal rejections on the form was the UK mad cow part; anyone who lived in the UK from 1/1/1980 to 31/12/1996 is not welcomed and it listed England; Scotland; Wales; Ireland; Channel Islands and Isle Of Man.

The worst part; there was no cheese and biscuits this time. :(:td:

It's been almost a year since I bumped this thread. You know what that means.

dh

Donate platelets every 2 weeks.

Next donation Monday 7/7

thank you Mr Vker! A dear friend of ours is staying alive because he is receiving at least 3 units of blood a week.

He isn't ready to leave his 9 year old daughter alone in this world.

Busy at the Indianapolis northside donation center on Wednesday 07/02/08.

Donated 1 pint after 1 year deferment (was a guinea pig for Lilly last year on Alzheimer clinical trial).

been giving since my 18th birthday and give every 8 weeks (with the blood center "conveniently located" just a block and a half from home)

My son and our family give thanks regularly to all those who donate blood. If not for them, he would not have made it through the 3 1/2 years of chemotherapy for his leukemia. He is now 1+ year off treatment and doing great.

Thanks again. If you can, please donate regularly. People really do need the blood. I know many of these families.

We give regularly.

It's been almost a year since I bumped this thread. You know what that means.

I've been asked not to donate. :( But I appreciate seeing this thread every time it is bumped!

One of you donors saved the life of my mother-in-law.

Thank you.

Donated 08/29/08 - last donation on 07/02/08 which confused the person reviewing my form since it says:

Have you donated in 8 weeks. I said yes. - Since it was within 8 weeks! (yes it was longer then 56 days but shorter then 8 weeks).

Also IN Blood Center discussed: With the automated process called double red cell donation, donors can give just red cells—but two units of red cells—and that’s the component of blood that is in the greatest demand.

Facts:

Donated plasma is replaced after 2-3 days.[50] Red blood cells are replaced by bone marrow into the circulatory system at a slower rate, on average 36 days in healthy adult males.[51]

Stats:

Year to Date:
Credits: 2
Gallons: 2/8 th(s)

Lifetime to Date:
Credits: 15
Gallons: 1 & 7/8 th(s)

Eligibility:
Whole Blood: 10/24/2008
Platelets: 09/05/2008
Plasma: 10/24/2008

I have had skin cancer. Now, one of those skin cancers was surgically removed which does not eliminate me from donating but the other one was healed after prayer so since the Red Cross requires a surgical removal date when I try to donate, and I have none, I am eliminated (which makes me very sad). :confused:

According to my prior dermatalogist, who refuses to believe my scar is proof that I am healed, I am the only person who has never completed his referred treatment plan which was incredibly invasive, ie, surgically remove cartilage, reroute a vein, use skin from my lower back or hip for a graft, painful, and a 3 month healing period, etc. He keeps me infamous by keeping a red circle around my name in his former day planner (per his own word).

But, I encourage anyone to donate blood if eligible. ^

i've been donating since 1976 and give every 8 weeks. my next donation is tomorrow (9/1) morning at 9am (and it also helps that the blood center is just a block from my apartment ;))

I would avoid donated blood if at all possible, and if you have any planned surgery stock up on your own supply first.

i've been donating since 1976 and give every 8 weeks. my next donation is tomorrow (9/1) morning at 9am

You're not suggesting that it's ok to have candy at that hour are you? :p


This thread is still going after almost 6 years. Giving blood is important. @:-)

i've been donating since 1976 and give every 8 weeks. my next donation is tomorrow (9/1) morning at 9amYou're not suggesting that it's ok to have candy at that hour are you? :p


This thread is still going after almost 6 years. Giving blood is important. @:-)just got back.

no candy......donuts!


mmmmmm, donuts

Just a reminder that the blood donation guidelines remain discriminatory and verfiably safe blood is turned away every day.

At least there haven't been any disingenuous pleas about desperate need for blood this time around.

Just a reminder that the blood donation guidelines remain discriminatory and verfiably safe blood is turned away every day.

It all comes back to this question: why can't a gay man who has been in a monogamous relationship for 10 years and has tested free of any disease give blood but a straight man who has had unprotected sex with someone within the last six months can give blood? The lack of logic is rather disturbing. They are either practicing rampant discrimination (by singling out gays) or exposing those that receive blood to more risk by allowing promiscuous heterosexuals to donate. Which is it?

I don't see how those are mutually exclusive.

Just gave a pint of O+. :)

I was going to post this while the donation was in progress but search and the BlackBerry didn't go so well together. :o

It all comes back to this question: why can't a gay man who has been in a monogamous relationship for 10 years and has tested free of any disease give blood but a straight man who has had unprotected sex with someone within the last six months can give blood? The lack of logic is rather disturbing. They are either practicing rampant discrimination (by singling out gays) or exposing those that receive blood to more risk by allowing promiscuous heterosexuals to donate. Which is it?

It's certainly overt and inappropriate discrimination by singling out ALL gay people, even very low-risk ones.

It's also probably putting people at risk by choosing only a very limited number of straight people (sex workers and their customers, plus a few others) to exclude as higher risk.

OTOH, getting honest answers even to these limited questions are pretty bogus - my guess is that closeted men are both more likely to lie about it AND more likely to be positive and not know it. And what do you think the odds of occasional sex workers and or their customers answering honestly? Probably about the same as that of Clinton having answered honestly about the BJ...

I wish I could donate, but there's a small chance I could turn into a mad cow in 10 or 20 years... :eek:

I lived in the U.K. back in the 90's and ate beef.

Gave blood yesterday morning at the blood drive at work.

My daughter called me, or should I say texted me today to say she gave her first pint. :o

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122523396064077821.html

The use/view of blood has certainly changed in the last 5-10 years.

"The latest efforts to manage blood supplies come amid a shrinking pool of potential donors. Tighter screening for infectious disease and other potential complications have reduced the donor pool to about 37% of Americans, a study last year showed. That's down sharply from the more than 60% long considered the level of potential donors"

Probably shrinking because of this fact said earlier in the article,
"Doctors have traditionally thought blood was absolutely safe, and don't see why they should withhold it from patients. But the modern view is that when we give blood unnecessarily we cause measurable harm to patients," says Timothy Hannon, medical director of the blood-management program at St. Vincent Indianapolis..."

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 11/04/2008
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch - Address will change on 11/17/08
Last Cholesterol: 194
Year to Date:
Credits: 3
Gallons: 3/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Credits: 16
Gallons: 2
Eligibility:
Whole Blood: 12/30/2008
Platelets: NOW
Plasma: 12/30/2008

Uh-huh, and if they said "No black blood" or "No jew blood" you'd feel the same about using FlyerTalk to promote it?


Definitely. I would not want the person who needs blood to be denied it because of the bigotry of others.

Incidentally, that person could be Black, Jewish, or -- yes -- gay. There are no such restrictions on recipients.

So I used to give blood every 8 weeks in High School (after age 17) with my buddies. It was our thing every two months. We would have a competiytion with each other to see who could push out the pint faster ;)

But then they changed the rules and because I was born in Germany in 81 (and only lived there 3 months, as a baby) I could no longer give blood... It seems that with such a need for blood they shouldn't be turning people away....

So I used to give blood every 8 weeks in High School (after age 17) with my buddies. It was our thing every two months. We would have a competiytion with each other to see who could push out the pint faster ;)

But then they changed the rules and because I was born in Germany in 81 (and only lived there 3 months, as a baby) I could no longer give blood... It seems that with such a need for blood they shouldn't be turning people away....

East or West?

bump!

Spiff,

I was just thinking about this thread earlier today as I drove past the hospital. Thanks for the bump. Saved me the trouble. @:-)

dh

5 March 2009

I gave blood again today.

Still a lot of hassles giving blood; they said I can give blood more regularly, no thanks. A bit of paperwork to fill out.

They had cheese and biscuits back this time so I took twice as much as I needed, making up for last year. ;)

03/03/2009

1 unit

They tried to have apheresis but I didn't have a lot of time and I haven't done that procedure before so I didn't want to be in a hurry!

In fact they called me as I was driving the Carmel, IN donation center.

05/04/2009

1 unit

Indiana Blood Center. Fishers, IN location

It's a good thing to give blood. Thanks. ^
Now that you mention it, I'm overdue.

dh

Now that you mention it, I'm overdue.



Don't panic yet. First do a pregnancy test.

17 gallons and counting. ^:p^

Tried to do a platelet apheresis donation this last time, rather than whole blood - unfortunately, they couldn't get a good reverse flow and had to call the thing off. I'll probably try again one of these days, but my next one will be whole blood again.

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 07/21/2009
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch
Last Cholesterol: 202
Year to Date:
Credits: 4
Gallons: 4/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Donations: 20
Gallons: 2 & 4/8 th(s)
Eligibility:
Whole Blood: 09/15/2009
Platelets: NOW
Plasma: 09/15/2009

Thanks for the reminder. I'm do. @:-)

When you give blood, you reduce your iron level. So by giving blood today, I was able to bring down my iron level.

I wouldn't even know that my iron level was high unless I gave blood, or went for a check-up.

The otherr way to know if you're iron level is high is by looking in the mirror. Is your face a little redder than normal? How about your ears? This is a warning sign.

A friend of mine had high iron and didn't know it. After he died, his entire family got tested. Several of them now give blood regularly to reduce their high level of iron in their blood.

Bottom line, give blood. It may save YOUR life.

A friend who has hemochromatosis (the condition where excess iron is absorbed and accumulates in the body) says that, once diagnosed, he cannot donate blood; he has to have blood removed periodically (the procedure is the same as blood donation), but the blood cannot be used for transfusions (not sure about research or other use). Presumably, they only want "altruistic" donors, rather than those who have other motivations to donate blood, since the latter people may lie on the questionnaire about disqualifying conditions (travel to malarial areas, etc.).

Due to differences in physiology and eating habits, men are much less likely than women to have low iron, but are much more likely than women to have iron overload.

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 11/11/2009
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch
Last Cholesterol: 201
Year to Date:
Credits: 5
Gallons: 5/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Donations: 21
Gallons: 2 & 5/8 th(s)
Whole Blood: 01/06/2010
Platelets: 11/14/2009
Plasma: 12/09/2009

bp 98* over 60
pulse: 77


*yes a little low even for me as i average around 106-110 but i did not sleep well last night and "decided to wake up" :rolleyes: at 3:30am

Donated whole blood a few weeks ago on my birthday.

Donated whole blood a few weeks ago on my birthday.way to give something back ^

pulse

Good thing. :D

I haven't been to Omni since 1 Nov, just prior to my China trip. Glad to see that this post was bumped (without my prompting). ;)
Thanks bowdenj.

d

PLUS their phlebotomists are way more skilled than the local blood center...and t's 2 blocks from my house...and their donuts are fresher...all around it's a win-win...

still trying to get up the nerve to do apherisis....

PLUS their phlebotomists are way more skilled than the local blood center...and it's 2 blocks from my house...and their donuts are fresher...all around it's a win-win...

still trying to get up the nerve to do apherisis....the blood center for me is also a 2 block walk and they usually offer movie passes (tho last nov/dec they added a free flu shot). my last time this past friday-bupkes

Donated another lot of blood yesterday; dam it hurt; good thing I don't have to do that again for another year.

I really wish I could, being AB- makes it a little more pressing (nothing like having an operation a few years ago and being told that it would be a good idea to give blood so they had some 'on hand').

Alas, I lived the first 33 years of my life in the UK and that automatically excludes me, even though I haven't (yet) started acting like a mad cow.:confused:

- Tim

I'm excluded for a year now, since our Make-A-Wish trip to the Galapagos and Ecuador last year. But as soon as that time is up (June), I'll be right back to giving about once a quarter. I had always given, but having seen the need first hand (my son had about 20 transfusions, either whole blood or platelets) during treatment, now I've really got to pay it forward.

got my two month reminder e-mail on friday and donated today.

I really wish I could, being AB- makes it a little more pressing (nothing like having an operation a few years ago and being told that it would be a good idea to give blood so they had some 'on hand').

Alas, I lived the first 33 years of my life in the UK and that automatically excludes me, even though I haven't (yet) started acting like a mad cow.:confused:

- Tim

You and me are both in the same boat (or should that be "on the same farm?"). 23 years in the UK for me. Mooooo!

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 02/02/2010
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch
Last Cholesterol: 186
Year to Date:
Credits: 1
Gallons: 1/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Donations: 22
Gallons: 2 & 6/8 th(s)
Whole Blood: 03/30/2010
Platelets: NOW
Plasma: 03/02/2010

Blood pressure: 119/65
Pulse: 69
Blood: red (tomorrow, green :D)

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 04/13/2010
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch
Last Cholesterol: 177
Year to Date:
Credits: 2
Gallons: 2/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Donations: 23
Gallons: 2 & 7/8 th(s)
Whole Blood: 06/08/2010
Platelets: NOW
Plasma: 05/11/2010

128/81
64

When I was younger I donated 7 or 8 pints of A+. Then I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and forbidden to donate. I received a cadaveric kidney transplant nearly 10 years ago during which I received a pint or two back. Unfortunately, the immunosupressant drugs still make me unable to donate - want to, but they won't take it for fear of what any un-metabolized immune suppressant compounds might do to the recipient.

My wife is AB- and as you might expect is in high demand. She gives as often as she can but often is excluded due to being borderline on a number of the measurements. That, and she's fainted numerous times.

Thanks to whoever donated the blood for my operation, and thanks, too, for all of you who have signed your organ donation card!

This thread continues to give, after all these years. Kudos to the OP. ;) ^

My wife is AB- and as you might expect is in high demand. She gives as often as she can but often is excluded due to being borderline on a number of the measurements. That, and she's fainted numerous times.

Is fainting more common with smaller donors, for whom the typical 500ml donation is a greater percentage of their blood volume than for larger donors?

I'm O- and I do this at least 8 times a year. "For the babies". What they tell me all the time is that problems in birth and after draw a lot on O- blood. I love babies, so that's all I had to hear.

dontated today

pint: 67
bp: 102/63
pulse: 71
blood: red

Got a call asking my wife to donate, and when I pointed out that she was at work and would take the message for her, they asked if I was a donor. I'd be about due for my next donation (last was in mid-march), but I'm on deferral for a year (which is why I made a point of donating right before heading to the Philippines).

May 24, 2010
New Threats to U.S. Blood Supply


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704792104575264600619273586-search.html

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 06/16/2010
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch
Last Cholesterol: 176
Year to Date:
Credits: 3
Gallons: 3/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Donations: 24
Gallons: 3 th(s)
Whole Blood: 08/11/2010
Platelets: NOW
Plasma: 08/11/2010

130/78
60
HGB: 14.4

Your blood type is: O+
Last Donation:
Date: 06/16/2010
Type: Whole Blood
Location: North Branch
Last Cholesterol: 176
Year to Date:
Credits: 3
Gallons: 3/8 th(s)
Lifetime to Date:
Donations: 24
Gallons: 3 th(s)
Whole Blood: 08/11/2010
Platelets: NOW
Plasma: 08/11/2010

130/78
60
HGB: 14.4

How do you get this information? I donated through redcross, I can't find any links on their website which might show me this info.

How do you get this information? I donated through redcross, I can't find any links on their website which might show me this info.

IN Blood Center uses:

https://www.donorpoint.org/

And there is a historical charts that show past below results charts and numbers, etc. Its all tied to your blood donation profile.

Summer bump.

Never had "high iron" (not sure how you get it). But I'm totally down with giving blood, esp. for O- people like me. Been doing it for years. People tend not to think about how lives are saved in hospitals, but blood transfusions are one of the critical things done (childbirth, car accidents, what have you). And all that blood must come from donors. So there's a good chance most of us know someone who wouldn't be alive except for millions of blood donors. And it seems like there's never enough of them.

Such an easy thing to do. A lot of charitable work really dents your calendar or bank account. This one costs ZERO and can be done in a half hour or less. Maybe I do it because I have a big lazy streak. How else can I do this much good while lying in a REALLY comfortable chair trading jokes with a phlebotomist?
Its the one version of organ donation that doesn't create any issues for me.

I've been a fairly regular blood donor. (Not quite clockwork, but reasonably close, meaning I try pretty hard to donate quickly once I become eligible.) My closest convenient blood donation point is the Stanford Blood Center; they supply blood to several medical facilities including Lucille Packard Children's Hospital that have high percentage of infants and immunocompromised patients. As a result, the fact that I'm negative for cytomegalovirus makes my relatively common O+ blood slightly more desirable than it otherwise would be. (Infection by this virus results in mild symptoms for most people, and about 50% of the population tests positive for antibodies.)

In recent years, I've mostly donated double red blood cell through apheresis -- one visit every 16 weeks instead of every 8 weeks, and they take twice the red blood cells but give me my plasma (& platelets?) back. Quite recently, though, I've discovered to my annoyance that once I've donated double red blood cells, I'm ineligible to donate anything else for 16 weeks, even platelets apheresis donations. A whole blood donor is eligible to donate platelets through apheresis as soon as 3 days after their whole blood donation, but somehow donating double the red blood cells makes me ineligible to donate platelets for 16 weeks. Sigh.

I was doing double-red but went back to whole blood. Less of a hassle, still very beneficial.

forgot to include this from july, 11.

pint: 68
bp: 118/70
pulse: 70
blood: red

I've never donated. I have no good excuse. There's even a drive that takes place here at work. I think I just chicken out/find myself too busy whenever it happens. :o

The next drive here is mid-November. Would someone please bump this thread in the mid-October time frame? I really want to donate, but I think I just need the kick in the pants that a little peer pressure will provide. :) (I may honestly be too busy mid-November to do it this time around, but a bump will motivate me to make my best effort at finally doing it.)

The next drive here is mid-November. Would someone please bump this thread in the mid-October time frame? I really want to donate, but I think I just need the kick in the pants that a little peer pressure will provide. :) (I may honestly be too busy mid-November to do it this time around, but a bump will motivate me to make my best effort at finally doing it.)

You don't need to wait for a drive - just check the web site of your local red cross or your local blood center for appointment times.

Also, if you travel a lot internationally, it's worth calling ahead to find out if you've been anywhere which will lead to a deferral - after spending a week in the Philippines this spring, I'm deferred til next Spring.

You don't need to wait for a drive - just check the web site of your local red cross or your local blood center for appointment times.I know, I know. But it is much more convenient for me when they come here.

Also, if you travel a lot internationally, it's worth calling ahead to find out if you've been anywhere which will lead to a deferral - after spending a week in the Philippines this spring, I'm deferred til next Spring.If I were traveling internationally, it would be an issue. :mad: But my travel has dried up these days. :( Still, thanks for the tip. ^

I know, I know. But it is much more convenient for me when they come here.

Certainly. That's what got me donating again after a dry spell of 7 years :)

If I were traveling internationally, it would be an issue. :mad: But my travel has dried up these days. :( Still, thanks for the tip. ^[/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear that! My usual joke is that I "work to support a travel habit" and in a bad economy, it's the electronic toys that have been inclined to dry up rather than the travel.

About the platelets. A sign on the wall at the bloodbank says they want those from type AB. Whole blood is too valuable from type O to be taking platelets. Or maybe there's just not a demand from platelets from that type. I dunno. Maybe I'll ask about that sign next month on my next visit.

This thread made me pull out my donor card (21 donations) to see when the last one was - eek! - almost two years ago. Guess I will make an appointment with the blood center. Used to be 'on call' (type O+) but they called so often I asked to be removed from the call list. Unfortunately, I get deferred for low iron about 50% of the time. :(

A friend who has hemochromatosis (the condition where excess iron is absorbed and accumulates in the body) says that, once diagnosed, he cannot donate blood; he has to have blood removed periodically (the procedure is the same as blood donation), but the blood cannot be used for transfusions (not sure about research or other use). Presumably, they only want "altruistic" donors, rather than those who have other motivations to donate blood, since the latter people may lie on the questionnaire about disqualifying conditions (travel to malarial areas, etc.).

That is unfortunate since even the National Institutes of Health say blood from hemochromatosis patients is perfectly safe:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2001/nhlbi-25.htm



Blood donors with hemochromatosis, a disorder in which iron accumulates in organs and body tissues, do not pose a greater risk to blood safety than other donors, according to the results of a study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and published in the September 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Hemochromatosis patients are treated with periodic phlebotomies or "blood letting" to remove excess iron from their body. Because these patients benefit medically and financially by giving blood (they don't have to pay for phlebotomy), there has been concern that they might donate despite having infectious disease risk factors and that their blood might be less safe. As a result, FDA regulations have not promoted blood donation from hemochromatosis patients.

"Hemochromatosis patients in this study had no more risk of transmitting viral infections than did other donors. This finding should help guide future decisions on blood donations by these patients. If people with hemochromatosis qualify as donors then that could potentially have a significant impact on the national blood supply," said NHLBI Director Dr. Claude Lenfant.



Due to differences in physiology and eating habits, men are much less likely than women to have low iron, but are much more likely than women to have iron overload.

For pre-menopausal women, yes, the risk of accumulating iron is lower ... for post-menopausal women the risk is the same.

Wow, with the chronic shortage, how could they possibly reject safe blood? I hope nobody dies after the blood is discarded. That'd be sort of tragic.