Give Blood. It may save a life...YOURS!
Jan 3, 2018, 9:23 am
#601
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Programs: Delta Diamond, Delta 2MM, HHonors Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 693
1-Year Hiatus After Kruger National Park Visit?
Hi,
Just donated another pint on 12/29.
I'm heading to South Africa this spring and was told that Kruger National Park is on the list that will prevent me from donating for a year, That means one more pint before I leave and then a hiatus.
Bummed about the waiting period, Is it just American Red Cross that has that restriction or is that pretty universal, even though I will be taking the recommended anti-malarials?
Just donated another pint on 12/29.
I'm heading to South Africa this spring and was told that Kruger National Park is on the list that will prevent me from donating for a year, That means one more pint before I leave and then a hiatus.
Bummed about the waiting period, Is it just American Red Cross that has that restriction or is that pretty universal, even though I will be taking the recommended anti-malarials?
Jan 5, 2018, 9:19 am
#602
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Hi,
Just donated another pint on 12/29.
I'm heading to South Africa this spring and was told that Kruger National Park is on the list that will prevent me from donating for a year, That means one more pint before I leave and then a hiatus.
Bummed about the waiting period, Is it just American Red Cross that has that restriction or is that pretty universal, even though I will be taking the recommended anti-malarials?
Just donated another pint on 12/29.
I'm heading to South Africa this spring and was told that Kruger National Park is on the list that will prevent me from donating for a year, That means one more pint before I leave and then a hiatus.
Bummed about the waiting period, Is it just American Red Cross that has that restriction or is that pretty universal, even though I will be taking the recommended anti-malarials?
Plasmodium life cycle (US CDC)
Jan 31, 2018, 10:12 am
#604
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
Blood Drive this Week in NYC
hi folks - if anyone has time this week, my organization is hosting a blood drive this week at Grand Central... stop on by!
May 16, 2018, 9:55 am
#605
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HKG SZX
Programs: CX MPC GO, IHG, OZ, NH (no longer UA MP*G thanks to SMJ)(no longer A3 *G due to COVID))
Posts: 620
Nice gift for my 31st whole blood donation
Souvenir for blood donor in Hong Kong (circa 2018 May)
Souvenir for blood donor in Hong Kong (circa 2018 May)
Last edited by royng; May 16, 2018 at 10:04 am
Dec 31, 2018, 11:27 pm
#606
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HKG SZX
Programs: CX MPC GO, IHG, OZ, NH (no longer UA MP*G thanks to SMJ)(no longer A3 *G due to COVID))
Posts: 620
Happy new year everyone!
Wish you all stay healthy enough to donate blood in 2019!
I ended 2018 by going to blood centre on new year's eve.
(In Hong Kong to encourage donation during festive season, travel scale is given out to donors.)
I ended 2018 by going to blood centre on new year's eve.
(In Hong Kong to encourage donation during festive season, travel scale is given out to donors.)
Dec 31, 2018, 11:38 pm
#607
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
Still no change here in HK on accepting blood from anyone who lived in the UK for any length of time though, so, sadly, I still can't donate. I wonder if any other countries have that restriction?
Last edited by christep; Dec 31, 2018 at 11:57 pm
Jan 1, 2019, 1:24 am
#608
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HKG SZX
Programs: CX MPC GO, IHG, OZ, NH (no longer UA MP*G thanks to SMJ)(no longer A3 *G due to COVID))
Posts: 620
Strictly speaking not "any length of time"...but I agree the guidelines do exclude a lot of people.
Official criteria in Hong Kong say-
Blood donors (including Rhesus positive, Rhesus negative and rare blood type donors) will be permanently deferred for blood donation if:
(I) Between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996
- They have spent a total of three or more months in the UK.
- They have worked or lived for a total of six or more months at US Military bases in Europe.
- They have spent a total of five or more years in Europe.
- They have received blood transfusion in the UK or France.
- They have received bovine insulin injection.
(IV) Any of your blood relatives have been diagnosed of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).
(emphasis mine)
(Ref: http://www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/UPFILE/B...103446136.pdf]
Jan 1, 2019, 2:05 am
#609
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
OK, yes, I know that. But these are totally arbitrary numbers (3 months, 5 years). Data (via Wikipedia) suggests that 1 in 2,000 people in the UK may be carriers of something that might in very rare cases cause a problem.
I'm O- which means my blood could be used for anyone.
If I were in a situation where I needed blood and I was told that there's a 1 in 2000 chance that I might become a carrier of something which in turn has a 1 in 200 chance of giving me vCJD (rough numbers, based on 170 cases ever in the UK), or I die, then surely this isn't an issue? It's a one in 400,000 risk! I take that much risk crossing the road every year.
I'm O- which means my blood could be used for anyone.
If I were in a situation where I needed blood and I was told that there's a 1 in 2000 chance that I might become a carrier of something which in turn has a 1 in 200 chance of giving me vCJD (rough numbers, based on 170 cases ever in the UK), or I die, then surely this isn't an issue? It's a one in 400,000 risk! I take that much risk crossing the road every year.
Jan 1, 2019, 2:37 am
#610
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HKG SZX
Programs: CX MPC GO, IHG, OZ, NH (no longer UA MP*G thanks to SMJ)(no longer A3 *G due to COVID))
Posts: 620
To date, many countries have addressed this risk by excluding blood donors with a history of travel or residence in the UK and parts of Europe, for defined cumulative exposure periods. The United States Food and Drug Administration currently requires deferral of individuals who have spent 3 months or more cumulatively in the UK between 1980 and the end of 1996, when effective measures were implemented to prevent oral transmission, or who have spent 5 years or more cumulatively in Europe between 1980 and the present. In the UK, France and Ireland, recipients of blood transfusion (including fractionated blood products) since 1980 are now permanently deferred. Other countries defer donors who have received blood transfusions in the UK or France since 1980.
and WHO recommends that
The decision to defer blood donors with a history of travel or residence for defined cumulative exposure periods in specified countries or areas, as a measure to reduce the risk of transmitting vCJD by blood transfusion, should be based on the findings of the risk assessment and risk-benefit analysis and the impact on the blood supply
Jan 1, 2019, 2:49 am
#611
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG & BoardRoom
Posts: 289
OK, yes, I know that. But these are totally arbitrary numbers (3 months, 5 years). Data (via Wikipedia) suggests that 1 in 2,000 people in the UK may be carriers of something that might in very rare cases cause a problem.
I'm O- which means my blood could be used for anyone.
If I were in a situation where I needed blood and I was told that there's a 1 in 2000 chance that I might become a carrier of something which in turn has a 1 in 200 chance of giving me vCJD (rough numbers, based on 170 cases ever in the UK), or I die, then surely this isn't an issue? It's a one in 400,000 risk! I take that much risk crossing the road every year.
I'm O- which means my blood could be used for anyone.
If I were in a situation where I needed blood and I was told that there's a 1 in 2000 chance that I might become a carrier of something which in turn has a 1 in 200 chance of giving me vCJD (rough numbers, based on 170 cases ever in the UK), or I die, then surely this isn't an issue? It's a one in 400,000 risk! I take that much risk crossing the road every year.
Entirely different if it was your responsibility to assure that others crossed the road safely.
Last edited by arcticflier; Jan 1, 2019 at 6:16 am
Jan 1, 2019, 11:22 pm
#612
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Mostly interpersonal discussion regarding risk management, the statistical data regarding vCJD etc. is dilatory to the topic. These are personal decisions, best discussed elsewhere or via PM. When it extends to overly personalized comments about other members, it’s in violation of the Rules.
Co-Moderator
Co-Moderator
Mar 5, 2019, 11:06 am
#613
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Body in the CLE, soul still in New England
Programs: In 2023? Does it matter? SPG/Marriott: Plat; DL: Plat; B6: Mosaic
Posts: 2,979
Thank you, everyone, who gives blood. I, my mom and my late brother all had transfusions and we thank you.
Unfortunately, I'm restricted due to my recent travels to India, but if anyone here is from BOS, here is the link to both the Dana Farber/BWI and MGH donation locations:
MGH Blood Donor site
The Farber Blood Bank
Unfortunately, I'm restricted due to my recent travels to India, but if anyone here is from BOS, here is the link to both the Dana Farber/BWI and MGH donation locations:
MGH Blood Donor site
The Farber Blood Bank
Apr 5, 2019, 10:51 am
#615
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HKG SZX
Programs: CX MPC GO, IHG, OZ, NH (no longer UA MP*G thanks to SMJ)(no longer A3 *G due to COVID))
Posts: 620
Freq status requalified
Requalification requirement:
male: 3 donations in one year
female: two donations per year
2018-19 badge for Hong Kong frequent donor
male: 3 donations in one year
female: two donations per year
2018-19 badge for Hong Kong frequent donor