Give Blood

[Andres]

Yesterday, I went to our local clinic to donate blood to the Red Cross.

The reason I did this, is because a friend of mine asked me to. His wife got hit by a truck a month ago and she was badly injured. She's still recovering and still has a long way to go.

A week ago or so, my friend wrote a long e-mail to all his friends. Alot of people asked him if they could do something to help them and he said that we cannot do much more than showing that we care about them.

But he has spent many hours in their local hospital and he saw alot of misery. In his mail he told us that we actually can do something, not for his family in specific, but for everybody who is the victim of an accident or, in general, has to undergo surgery: give blood. He asked us to give blood so that the accident of his wife could be meaningfull. He also asked us to try to convince as many people as possible to donate blood.

When you become the victim of a traffic accident, everybody considers it normal that you go to the hospital and there is blood available.

The thing is, most of the healthy people who are perfectly capable of donating blood, don't do it and there's always the need for more blood.

If you're healthy, it's really a small gesture. All it takes is about 30 minutes of your precious time. And for once, you might actually save a life by sacrifing those 30 minutes. And if you don't mind the needle, you can go back if you want to. I believe a normal healthy person can give blood about 4 times a year.

So, I'd like to ask my fellow Orgah's who are healthy (and old enough to be allowed by the law of your country) to donate blood. You will be doing a good thing.

Thank you for your time

[CountArach]

Excellent post Andres I regularly donate blood, because I'm not really gonna use it, and someone else out there might.

[naut]

I wish a speedy recovery for your friend's wife.

Being English, I legally can't in Australia. I might have Mad Cow or something silly like that.

[PBI]

Well said Andres.

Most of the things a person can do to make the world a better place are hard work, but this one is really, really simple. It's ten minutes of mild discomfort in order to save a person's life.

[Fragony]

Too afraid of needles, but when I die they can strip me clean. But it's a good thing to do

[SwordsMaster]

Not allowed. I spend too much time in dodgy places, apparently... I do encourage the rest of you though.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Well said Andres. Giving blood to the Red Cross is an excellent way to perform a civic duty. Some work places will even give one a 1/2 day off with pay for those that donate blood, mine does. Then, of course, one has to replace those precious body fluids.

[Gregoshi]

Well said Andres.

Donating blood is something you should at least try it once. You won't know if you're the right type (no pun intended - really) for blood donation until you give it a shot. If you are nervous about needles and such, round up a few first-time-donor friends and go together so you have a support group. I know that helped me with my first donation. From that first time, a few of us continued donating, while another couldn't. At the very least, you'll all have a new experience to talk about afterwards. At best, you'll have helped save a life. If your place of work sponsors blood drives, you have another incentive - get out of work for about an hour (beginning to end)!

BTW, if time is an issue for you, go to a donor center where you schedule an appointment. Going to a walk-in blood drive (first come, first served) could have you waiting quite a while.

Interesting coincidence - the Red Cross just called me while I was writing this to set up my next donation.

Edit: Hosa bet me to the punch on most of my points. You get half a day Hosa?! Nice!

[Riedquat]

In my country we have the entire day by law.

I'm not a regular giver but every time a relative of a friend or a friend of a friend needs blood donations I will be there; is the less one can do to help others.

[pevergreen]

Too afraid of needles, but when I die they can strip me clean. But it's a good thing to do

QFT I am terrified of them.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Too afraid of needles, but when I die they can strip me clean. But it's a good thing to do

I felt the same way, after a less than uplifting experience in childhood.

Gather thy courage, and ask for a nurse to set the needle. With all due respect to BKS, doctors are butchers when it comes to blood extraction, but nurses do it all the time with practised ease. I would never donate blood if I have to do it via doctor, but have never had any problem when a nurse does the job.

And there is usually more to distract one's attention from the needle, too.

Good thread Andres.

[Moros]

Had way to many needles in my arms when I was a kid. I'm going to live the next few years without them. But perhaps over a few years when I get nostalgic, or something, I'll go donate some.

[pevergreen]

Gather thy courage, and ask for a nurse to set the needle. With all due respect to BKS, doctors are butchers when it comes to blood extraction, but nurses do it all the time with practised ease. I would never donate blood if I have to do it via doctor, but have never had any problem when a nurse does the job.

I may agree with you, as up until recently, my girlfriend had been all set on becoming a nurse.

But my last two injections were terrible. First one (4-5 years ago), the nurse pulled it out sideways. Second one, I got a numbing patch, went in, said I had it on, she took it off and deliberately gave it to me in another area. I JUST BOUGHT THE DAMN THING FROM THE STORE!

Arrggh. 3 Years ago and I'm still angry about it.

[drone]

I wish a speedy recovery for your friend's wife.

Being English, I legally can't in Australia. I might have Mad Cow or something silly like that.

I'm in the same situation. Spent 2 years in the UK in the nineties, so my blood is "tainted" and they won't take it. Which is a shame, I've got the very useful type O+ and I used to give regularly.

[PBI]

I'm in the same situation. Spent 2 years in the UK in the nineties, so my blood is "tainted" and they won't take it. Which is a shame, I've got the very useful type O+ and I used to give regularly.

That's interesting, I had the opposite situation, they wouldn't let me give blood for 3 months after a trip to New England. Apparently there's a risk of Lyme's disease or something.

Oh, and O+ FTW!

[Caius]

It's a good idea Andres to do such a thing using the Internet power. Of course, I'm still under-age, and I don't want to tell my parents that I do want to give blood. Of course, some person could be needing it, and this goes far than the simple fact of giving blood. We always see in the news people who need blood, and we ignore it. It would be a good idea if we could spread the word to the world, starting for the .org. To change the world start with you.

[discovery1]

Gave blood Monday as a matter of fact. Got two free movie tickets and some ice cream.

[Warmaster Horus]

I'm still under age, but that's one thing I'm definitely going to do on a regular enough basis once I'm an adult. It's one thing the average human being can do to improve the world.

[CountArach]

Of course, I'm still under-age, and I don't want to tell my parents that I do want to give blood.

Why would they be against saving lives? Explain that it could be them that need it some time in the future, and then they will understand, for sure.

[Craterus]

Some religions don't allow blood transfusions.

I'd like to arrange giving blood sometime soon though.

[Martok]

Good post, Andres.

It's frustrating for me, as I cannot donate blood because of a medical condition, but am reasonably healthy otherwise. 'Tis quite irritating.

[naut]

Interesting coincidence - the Red Cross just called me while I was writing this to set up my next donation.

Haha, talk about coincidence, I also had something similar today. The Red Cross info people stopped me and asked me if I donate blood while I was on my way to Uni today.

[Caius]

Why would they be against saving lives? Explain that it could be them that need it some time in the future, and then they will understand, for sure.

Ok, I will go to the local foundation of the Red Cross and will try to know a little bit.

[CountArach]

Ok, I will go to the local foundation of the Red Cross and will try to know a little bit.

Good man

[Andres]

*bump*


Went to the clinic for my third donation today. I almost passed out this time, probably because it had been 6 hours after my last meal. Stupid me. A coke and some water are no substitutes for a decent meal. Note to self: eat and drink before you go.

But the nurses were very sweat and helpful (one would pass out just to get the extra attention from the nurses ), so I'll definitely go back next time

I bumped this thread just so all who missed it, read it now and go out to make a blood donation

You get free cookies (no kidding)! I even got pie and a small present (a deck of cards) today

[Hooahguy]

i agree- giving blood is really good and it doesnt hurt too much.
andres, they only gave you a deck of cards? i got a tshirt.

[Fragony]

Only got a T-Shirt? I got aids.