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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 23, 2017 15:45:01 GMT
My parents donated frequently when their health allowed it. I've not been able to donate since the 80's because of time spent in Congo, otherwise I would follow their lead.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jan 23, 2017 15:53:17 GMT
I used to donate regularly, but unfortunately our travel schedule has limited my ability to donate for a while now. I should double check if they've changed any of the restrictions. It used to be 3 years after visiting Africa or Central America.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jan 23, 2017 16:11:12 GMT
I used to donate semi-regularly, now they won't take my blood because it's too low in iron
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Post by psoccer on Jan 23, 2017 16:23:12 GMT
My son is a universal blood donor so I have him donate as often as he can. I used to donate, but then I got hep A and I can no longer donate.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Jan 23, 2017 16:34:07 GMT
Thank you to everyone who donates blood. I had complications during my hysterectomy, I had to be rushed straight back into theatre and lost a serious amount of blood. I would have died if it wasn't for blood doners. Unfortunately in the U.K. if you have had a blood transfusion you are unable to donate blood so I'm not able to help others. My dr advised that I pre-donate before my hysterectomy.... and it was a good thing I did, because I needed it. Until I retired and started traveling, I donated regularly. Since retiring, however, I have been unable to donate ( travel to malaria areas)
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Post by txsweetpea on Jan 23, 2017 16:34:56 GMT
I am a regular donor.
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Post by pierkiss on Jan 23, 2017 16:38:21 GMT
I donate when I can. The last few times I haven't been able to give due to minor anemia. But I try!
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Post by disneypal on Jan 23, 2017 16:45:59 GMT
Yes! I am an advocate for blood donations-unless someone is ineligible, I can't understand why you wouldn't donate. I donate every other month (8 weeks) and donate platelets monthly.
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Post by khaleesi on Jan 23, 2017 16:50:20 GMT
I am a regular donor. They come to my work each quarter so it's even more convenient for me. Needles and blood do not bother me so I watch the whole process
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Post by *KAS* on Jan 23, 2017 17:01:48 GMT
I haven't tried in a long time because I have terrible veins. I guess it's hereditary, because my mom and grandma are the same. I tried a few times and they dug and dug for a vein in my arm, but nobody can ever get them. They have to use my hand. I absolutely hate needles - I put off getting my wisdom teeth out for 10 years because I was scare of the IV. I feel like I should because I have a rare blood type (B-) but it's so awful and painful. Maybe I will try again this year.
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Post by bc2ca on Jan 23, 2017 17:19:43 GMT
I have needed two transfusions since I began cancer treatment and I'm so grateful to the blood and platelet donors who enabled me to get the blood I needed. I used to be a regular donor (started in high school) but was banned from giving years ago because I've spent too much time living in Europe. They banned my whole family because of concerns about BSE. (mad cow) My mom was a multi-gallon donor before the ban and she was really upset about not being able to continue giving. Anyway. Thank you again to all those who take the time to donate. Reading this thread made me wonder if the ban is still in place. It is the reason I haven't been able to donate for years. DH is O- and had been a regular donor for years.
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Post by kimpossible on Jan 23, 2017 17:20:14 GMT
I try and do it as often as I can as our family has had 2 kids almost die after accident had they not had major blood being given to them.
My oldest great niece is one of them and now that she is in college, she has taken it upon herself to organize blood drives at her schools and communities. She was also the face (picture and story) about how she survived her accident because of blood donations for the American Red Cross.
Because our family has been so closely affected by the donations of others, I try and do it as often as I can. They like my blood, I can do a pint pretty fast (much to my amazement).
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Post by Lexica on Jan 23, 2017 17:28:50 GMT
I have been eligible and ineligible, back and forth a number of times, but when I was able to do so, I donated regularly. They change the rules of eligibility, so it is worth checking every few years to see if you qualify now, even though you did not in the past. In my younger years, I was underweight when the requirement was to weigh at least 110 pounds. I was just under 100 pounds. Then I became eligible once I gained weight, so I started donating regularly. Then back to ineligible again due to Fibromyalgia. I just checked the site right now to see what the current eligibility rules are. Fibromyalgia is no longer listed on their website, which surprises me, but that is not a guarantee that you will not be denied at a donation site. I do not qualify right now just based on height alone. They currently require you to be at least 5'5" tall and weigh at least 150 pounds. I am 5'4" tall. Being underweight is no longer an issue for me. The restriction of needing to be at least 5'5" tall and weight of 150 pounds is strictly for Power Red Donations ONLY. It does not pertain to normal whole blood donations. AN asked me to double check that and I found that I had misunderstood that restriction. I'm sorry for the confusion! Again, that is for Power Red Donations, and not for normal whole blood donations. All you short people get on in there and donate!
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Post by AN on Jan 23, 2017 17:31:54 GMT
I just checked the site right now to see what the current eligibility rules are. Fibromyalgia is no longer listed on their website, which surprises me, but that is not a guarantee that you will not be denied at a donation site. I do not qualify right now just based on height alone. They currently require you to be at least 5'5" tall and weigh at least 150 pounds. I am 5'4" tall. Being underweight is no longer an issue for me. Are you sure you're looking at the qualifications for donating whole blood? That is a very high weight minimum and sounds like the minimum for giving Double Red Blood Cells, where they process the blood as it is being taken and take 2X the RBC and put everything else back in. There is a height & weight restriction on that that is much higher than a standard whole blood donation. Look for the word apheresis or something similar (may also apply to platelets or plasma, I'm not sure on the restrictions for that).
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Post by alexa11 on Jan 23, 2017 17:33:13 GMT
Yes- I do. I had to have a transfusion after my C-section 31 years ago. And then my newborn DD received several after heart surgery. We were/are so blessed and grateful.
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Post by knit.pea on Jan 23, 2017 17:40:24 GMT
Yes, especially for drives in memory of people I knew. I had one experience where I was totally wiped out afterward, and I stopped donating for a number of years. I am back at it now and have had no issues at all There are so many reasons for exclusions now, and I am able and have no qualms, so I figure I really, really should
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Post by bianca42 on Jan 23, 2017 17:44:32 GMT
I just checked the site right now to see what the current eligibility rules are. Fibromyalgia is no longer listed on their website, which surprises me, but that is not a guarantee that you will not be denied at a donation site. I do not qualify right now just based on height alone. They currently require you to be at least 5'5" tall and weigh at least 150 pounds. I am 5'4" tall. Being underweight is no longer an issue for me. I'm not that tall (5'2") and donate regularly. I have to say that I get angry every time I read the eligibility literature. If a man has been with another man once in the last 30 years, he is ineligible. But as a woman, I can be with a different guy every night and as long as there is no payment I'm still eligible.
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Post by Lexica on Jan 23, 2017 17:58:30 GMT
AN , I thought that was an unusually odd requirement too. I got that information from the alphabetical listing of eligibility. It does reference donating whole blood. The list is located here. (look at the end of the list under weight/height) My height was never an issue during all the years that I was able to donate. I was 5'4" and probably around 120 lbs during the many years that I donated. I do not recall being weighed or having my height measured at all. I just had to fill out the written questionnaire regarding my health and sexual history. They also took my temperature each time. I have allergies and asthma and I was turned away a few times because I was stuffy and sniffling. I would tell them it was just a recent exposure to an allergen, but for safety's sake, they had to deny me during those times. If my medications are not going to make me ineligible and the Fibromyalgia ban has been lifted, I would love to start donating again. I am going to check with my local donation facility to see what they say about the height situation.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 23, 2017 18:00:32 GMT
I am not able to donate, but thank you to those who do.
My DH has been the recipient many times during his cancer battle. The last time he needed 5 units.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,443
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jan 23, 2017 18:05:31 GMT
Yes! I am an advocate for blood donations-unless someone is ineligible, I can't understand why you wouldn't donate. I donate every other month (8 weeks) and donate platelets monthly. Sadly here the closest place to donate is 5 hours away and the Canadian blood bank is crying they are low but they have nothing for northern Alberta, BC and all of NWT and Yukon provinces. Isn't that crazy?
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 23, 2017 18:07:52 GMT
I used to donate regularly but now I'm excluded because I lived in the UK. Now my DS heads up blood drives at his high school!
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Post by Lexica on Jan 23, 2017 18:11:06 GMT
AN , I looked again and I was reading it wrong!! That 5'5" regulation is for "Power Red" donations. I didn't catch that until your comment had me checking again and again. This is the first section I read where they listed the height requirement. (near the bottom of the page) www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirementsThank you for pointing this out. I would hate my misinformation to discourage someone from donating!! Just to make sure it is clear now: The requirement for 5'5" is only for Power Red donations, NOT for whole blood donations!
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,516
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Jan 23, 2017 18:14:24 GMT
My DH donates at every single opportunity. My sons say they will also donate just as soon as they are old enough.
I have never been able to donate, so sometimes it slips my mind to tell my boys about it. However, my DH has taught them so well in this aspect by not only teaching and preaching about it, but by showing. He makes a point to take them with him as often as possible so they can see the process.
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Post by JoP on Jan 23, 2017 18:23:49 GMT
I used to donate regularly but since needing a transfusion after my mastectomy I'm now ineligible to donate (UK) my blood like gar was allocated for neonatal use I check regularly to see if the guidelines are still in place. My husband donates both blood and platelets on a regular basis.
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Post by peano on Jan 23, 2017 18:33:39 GMT
I used to donate regularly since I worked in a hospital. I was sick for a few years and didn't then. I am O- and was fired up by this thread to go donate at a local drive on Friday, but in looking over the guidelines, I can no longer donate because I take human derived pituitary growth hormone.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jan 23, 2017 18:48:40 GMT
I lived in England in the 80s. I can't donate blood nor organs apparently.
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Jan 23, 2017 18:52:41 GMT
I can't because of my size, but I totally would if I could@
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,954
Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on Jan 23, 2017 20:11:15 GMT
I have donated for years and also have the stick marks in my creases! In the past 2-3 yrs I have been unable to due to some blood pressure issues. My sons do my part! And I am A- which makes me sad I can't donate more often than I can.
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Post by Patter on Jan 23, 2017 20:17:14 GMT
I just checked the site right now to see what the current eligibility rules are. Fibromyalgia is no longer listed on their website, which surprises me, but that is not a guarantee that you will not be denied at a donation site. I do not qualify right now just based on height alone. They currently require you to be at least 5'5" tall and weigh at least 150 pounds. I am 5'4" tall. Being underweight is no longer an issue for me. Are you sure you're looking at the qualifications for donating whole blood? That is a very high weight minimum and sounds like the minimum for giving Double Red Blood Cells, where they process the blood as it is being taken and take 2X the RBC and put everything else back in. There is a height & weight restriction on that that is much higher than a standard whole blood donation. Look for the word apheresis or something similar (may also apply to platelets or plasma, I'm not sure on the restrictions for that). My daughter is 5' 1", and she gave blood last week. She also weighs 120 lbs. Not sure those requirements are correct.
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Post by mom on Jan 23, 2017 20:21:31 GMT
Yes, I am a regular donor. Its actually a form of volunteering I scheduled into my calendar regularly.
When my daughter was born, we both had to have transfusions. I will always be thankful for the blood donations we received.
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