Give Blood

[Craterus]

Apart from our plasma which is good for everybody.*

*info from discovery1

[edyzmedieval]

Ironically, I didnt donate blood today for somebody else, I donated blood to be analysed to check if im healthy or not...

I usually go a bit bad after somebody takes my blood so I wont be donating blood any time soon im afraid. Plus im not a big fan of needles.

Anyways, excellent post Andres, and for those who can do it, please do. You will do a great deed without even knowing it. Great deeds are best unknown.

[PBI]

In the last year or two I've received a couple of t-shirts, a hat, a $25 gas card, a $25 movie gift certificate, a $75 store (of my choice) gift certificate, a nice wheeled travel/duffle bag, a folding camp chair and a food gift basket. I almost feel guilty receiving these because that is not why I'm donating. Oh well.

Gah, all you get for donating over here is a cup of tea and a biscuit. Hmph.

Regarding blood types, my understanding is that although the demand for rare types is lower, the supply is lower by the same amount, so they're essentially needed just as much as any other type. The exception is O type which can be given to people of other blood types, in particular O- which I believe means you are virtually a universal donor.

[Craterus]

No virtually about it. O negative is the universal donor.

[Moros]

No virtually about it. O negative is the universal donor.

Not true? people who have a different blood type can only get 0- once IIRC.

[PBI]

No virtually about it. O negative is the universal donor.

That's what I originally thought, but according to my girlfriend (who is an intensive care nurse), there are some people who can't receive O-. Can't say I understand how or who or why, but I'm not about to dispute it.

[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

[Sarathos]

I didn't expect any less of you Andres, I regularly donate blood thought needles aren't my friend either, I would rather take the needle than let someone else suffer.

[Motep]

I had to have a blood test few months back...made me pass out after only 1 and a half vials. I jerked and everything...really nasty bruise...sharp pain for about a week and a half.

...Anybody know why?

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I had to have a blood test few months back...made me pass out after only 1 and a half vials. I jerked and everything...really nasty bruise...sharp pain for about a week and a half.

...Anybody know why?

Your body probably started to go into shock or something like that. Apparently if your body thinks it's losing a lot of blood it does that. I passed out once right after giving blood, they had just removed the needle and I was holding the gauze on the needle site, but I came back within a couple of seconds, didn't thrash about and was not at all the worse for wear.

Lying down when you donate with your feet up a bit may help, I've become light headed a couple of times, but that fixes it right up and I've never had trouble while doing it that way.

[Motep]

Your body probably started to go into shock or something like that. Apparently if your body thinks it's losing a lot of blood it does that. I passed out once right after giving blood, they had just removed the needle and I was holding the gauze on the needle site, but I came back within a couple of seconds, didn't thrash about and was not at all the worse for wear.

Lying down when you donate with your feet up a bit may help, I've become light headed a couple of times, but that fixes it right up and I've never had trouble while doing it that way.

Ah. That makes sense. Thank you

[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.

[AlexanderSextus]

I would do it but you cant if there's THC in your blood.

it doesnt make any sense...its only the "metabolites" of THC that stay, so its not like the person getting my blood would get high or anything.

but i cant donate cuz i smoke weed...oh well

[atheotes]

good post Andres....
i try to give blood whenever possible (allowed rather.... i am from India but in US for the last 6 years... so they dont let me give me blood for 12 months after i visit India... and i have been going to India every 15-16 months)... i wish i could donate more often....

I got light headed and started sweating a couple of time while giving blood...perhaps due to the fact that i did not have a decent breakfast....

[Kekvit Irae]

I've been to Honduras recently, so I'm not eligible for donating for a long time. Besides, I just don't want to.

[Motep]

I've been to Honduras recently, so I'm not eligible for donating for a long time. Besides, I just don't want to.

So elegantly put . No excuses, no lies. Just the plain honest truth!

[Kekvit Irae]

So elegantly put . No excuses, no lies. Just the plain honest truth!

I don't sugar-coat my excuses.

[Motep]

I don't sugar-coat my excuses.

that is almost sig worthy

[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.