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Post by jenis40 on Jul 18, 2018 5:14:04 GMT
Yes! It is a passion of mine and I try to get others to donate too. Unless you have a health reason or do not qualify, I honestly do not understand why anyone would not donate. You could literally save a life!! I donate every 8 - 10 weeks and have been doing that for 5 years now. I wish I had started before then. I donate platelets several times a year, I would like to do that more often but it takes much longer to donate and it takes a lot out of me when I do. Good for you for donating! I hope that you will continue to make regular donations. are the platelets the things they pay for? Plasma is what they pay you for.
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Post by pjaye on Jul 18, 2018 6:58:44 GMT
I started donating at age 18 and got up to 12 donations...then I started doing things that got me excluded...ears & navel pierced but not by a doctor, then got a couple of tattoos. Each time was a separate occasion and each excluded me for a 1-3 years back then, however it's not nearly as long now (I just checked, it's only 4 months now)
Eventually went back and my iron levels were on the lower side of normal...and low enough that they wouldn't let me donate So after all those years of being ineligible I got out of the habit and stopped trying to donate. Then I developed severe iron deficiency anaemia and required several iron infusions and my iron levels have stayed lowish over the past few years so I haven't even attempted to donate since then.
I got off to a good start, then it all fizzled out!
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Jul 18, 2018 7:13:25 GMT
I think I did about 8 donations before I got cancer so I can't any more. Actually, being turned down for being anaemic was one of the things that made me go to the doctors and my cancer was eventually diagnosed, so it worked in my favour.
I'm O- as well so I used to get called to go in. I think the rules in the UK have a bigger time between donations? We certainly don't get paid for anything!! But I've had lots of transfusions now, blood and platelets, and I'm so, so grateful.
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Post by gillyp on Jul 18, 2018 7:24:24 GMT
It’s a shame some of you would have to travel so far. We have a mobile van which comes here regularly and many people use it.
I needed transfusions after both births and wanted to donate as I was so grateful but was refused due to health reasons.
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,057
Jul 4, 2014 6:57:02 GMT
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Post by AllieC on Jul 18, 2018 9:22:31 GMT
I've donated on and off for 25 years. I had to cancel my last appointment because I had been unwell leading up to it so I must reschedule. I have terrible veins and they often have trouble finding a good one but it isn't painful and I figure that my discomfort is nothing compared to what the people needing it go through.
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Post by AN on Jul 18, 2018 9:22:50 GMT
The first time I ever donated was September 1, 2001 at the age of 16. After Sept 11, people flooded blood donation centers. There actually ended up being relatively little need due to the nature of deaths/injuries, but the blood donatiom center sent out a letter to everyone that hsd donated in the 2 weeks prior to Sept 11. It basically said they got a call that morning to send blood, and because we'd given before there was an emergency, they were able to. Blood takes a few days to test and process. They also pointed out that even in a time of crisis, because donors kept the supply high, people locally could continur to have thier surgeries, get transfusions after births and car accidents, and keep our local people healthy too.
It had a huge emotional impact on me. I keep very few sentimental things, but that letter is one of my most prized possessions. I wish everyone could have an emotional experience that made donating rewarding for them (if eligible).
I've given regularly ever since. I can't say every 8 weeks that entire time, as sometimes I'd get busy during a move or a piercing or something and not be able to give for awhile. But I'm an 8 gallon donor (64 donations), and right now I'm regular at every 8 weeks. You can see my "track marks" where they stick me on the inside of my elbow if you look closely, haha. Luckily I'm an easy stick. My next appointment is Friday, and I'm bringing a friend with me who has never donated! My husband also used to donate once a year or so when a blood drive would come to work, and I've gotten him to start going every 8-9 weeks. He doesn't like it as much as I do, but he does it.
I'm O-, CMV-, so they like me. To be honest, I'm a little jealous of people who have the super rare blood types where they have special antibodies and are identified for special donor programs, LOL.
It's so important to give regularly if you can. We will all be touched by blood transfusion at some point in our lives, either personally or for a family member. Blood donation is not something you can wait and do after there is a crisis. Blood has to be processed and waiting, and it has a fairly short shelf life.
Yay for blood donors!! If you're considering giving, and you have the option to go to a center rather than a bus or a mobile blood drive at a business, I recommend it. While I'm sure they do more good than not, I think one of the biggest things that give some people a bad impression of donating is having their first experience in a high school gym. The beds aren't as comfortable, the mobile busses are super cramped, and in high school you're going to have 108 lb girls passing out and generally there being more drama than at a calm center. A lot of the best phlebotomists are at centers too because they have seniority to get the permanent shifts/location of their choice.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,731
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 18, 2018 10:28:10 GMT
Both DH and I are ineligible, but thank you to those of you who donate. DH was the recipient of IVIg, platelets, and other blood products during his long illness -- you all saved his life.
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Post by rainangel on Jul 18, 2018 10:31:23 GMT
My grandfather was 15 years old when the Germans occupied Norway in 1940. That's when he started donating blood. He has that universal bloodtype (O-?) My grandmother told me that over his lifespan, he had donated over 80 litres of blood (around 21 gallons!) He has always been a picture of health, and has been called in extra numerous times because of his bloodtype, so he has given more blood than the average donor. He is 93 years old next month, but is no longer a blood donor obviously. Back in the day he used to get paid for his donations (now they give 'gifts'). My grandmother used to save up the bloodmoney and after a few donations she had enough money to buy a silver teaspoon. She collected them, and I think she has a double set of 24 spoons. I call them bloodmoney spoons. Inspired by my grandfather I donated blood too, for years. I am no longer able to because I get B12 injections. One of the 'gifts' you can choose from when donating, are these adorable mugs with Moomin patterns on them. I have collected quite a few different mugs fram donating blood. We use them daily.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Jul 18, 2018 10:52:42 GMT
I’m also O-, CMV- and I’ve given fairly regularly. I refer giving power red where you give two units of blood cells but retain your plasma.
I don’t like driving far, I can only give power red in a neighboring state. I don’t like the giant needles. I don’t like feeling run down afterwards. I don’t like how it affects my running performance for weeks. I don’t like the harassment from the Red Cross nor do I like that they make money off of my donation. So I can understand why people do not give blood.
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Post by lisae on Jul 18, 2018 10:58:01 GMT
I used to. I even went to Charlotte - about 70 miles away to donate platelets where they take blood out of one arm, run it through a machine and put it back into the other arm. I did that about 3 times many years ago and did the regular donation locally a few times. The issue I have is that my iron test often comes back low and then I've gone through all check in for nothing. The last time, they were borderline rude after that test came back. It seems to me, particularly if you tell them up front this is an issue, they should check that first.
I suppose I should try again. I've never had any other issues with the donation.
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Post by gar on Jul 18, 2018 11:03:04 GMT
I’m O- so I know my blood type is always needed. I’ve done 50+ donations. It’s such a little thing I can do 🙂
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Post by Fidget on Jul 18, 2018 11:06:28 GMT
I used to donate regularly. I'm also a recipient of a blood transfusion as is my youngest son back in the mid 80's. Unfortunately I am no longer able to donate. I'm not sure why, but about 4 years ago when i donated I became very ill, I've tried several times since then and I become sick and dizzy to the point that I pass out. I can't figure out why.. I really wish I could give - I'm O+ so my blood type is very versatile and in demand..
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Post by AN on Jul 18, 2018 11:12:29 GMT
I used to. I even went to Charlotte - about 70 miles away to donate platelets where they take blood out of one arm, run it through a machine and put it back into the other arm. I did that about 3 times many years ago and did the regular donation locally a few times. The issue I have is that my iron test often comes back low and then I've gone through all check in for nothing. The last time, they were borderline rude after that test came back. It seems to me, particularly if you tell them up front this is an issue, they should check that first. I suppose I should try again. I've never had any other issues with the donation. I've been deferred several times for low iron, and at least at the 4 different places I've donated, they will happily check that first before all the questions. That is actually standard now at my current center. They changed the iron measurement method awhile back - maybe a year or two ago - and the new measurement has the potential to bump out more men than in the past. From what I see at centers, I suspect more men donate than women, so I wonder if they've changed the order they do things in because of more deferrals. Feel free to be more pushy about if they can do the iron check first - remember, you are doing them the favor! Unless they have a procedure that absolutely requires the questionnaire first (which I've never seen, and I volunteered with red cross mobile blood centers), they shouldn't refuse! I make sure to take a multi-vitamin with iron for a few days leading up to donation and try not to donate right after my period. That seems to help, especially the multi-vitamin.
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Post by AN on Jul 18, 2018 11:21:22 GMT
I’m also O-, CMV- and I’ve given fairly regularly. I refer giving power red where you give two units of blood cells but retain your plasma. I don’t like driving far, I can only give power red in a neighboring state. I don’t like the giant needles. I don’t like feeling run down afterwards. I don’t like how it affects my running performance for weeks. I don’t like the harassment from the Red Cross nor do I like that they make money off of my donation. So I can understand why people do not give blood. That is so interesting, I hate giving double red blood cells (generic name for power red, that's a red cross term). It makes me feel much more woozy during and run down after. But they do really prefer it if people are willing to give, and it lengthens the time between donations. I asked them why they push it so hard, aside from just having a guaranteed donation vs chasing people. They said when possible, it's better to give all red blood cells from a single donor, so the DRBC makes that possible more often. I still don't do it though, I totally support only doing what you're comfortable with. I volunteered with the red cross blood services for awhile, although I do not donate through them. I will say, I found the red cross to be lacking in donor "Service" compared to the blood centers I've gone to over the years. Although I think they all harass via phone if you don't have a new appointment set up!! There was one time I couldn't give for awhile so I told them I was on a deferral. They asked how long, and that seemed to do the trick in their system to keep them from calling for awhile. I do have to say, ALL blood centers sell your blood to the end users. They are all non-profit though, but they do have to pay salaries and fund their operations. The red cross does use some of their blood revenue to fund other parts of their operations, if I remember correctly. But I do think it's a misconception that blood centers are "making money" off donations. They charge to cover costs/salaries/buildings and fund their non-profit missions. There are for-profit plasma centers, but that is a different deal. Those are the ones where donors get paid, and they use the plasma to make pharmaceutical products.
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Post by gillyp on Jul 18, 2018 11:23:54 GMT
So many Os! I am AB rhesus positive. What is the CMV you are mentioning? Is it the same as our Rhesus factor?
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,375
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Jul 18, 2018 11:28:44 GMT
I'm O+ and try to give two or three times a year. The last two times they could not find a good vein so they didn't get any blood. I've been told I need to go to the blood bank center to give because they are better at finding a good vein there.
My DH received a transfusion while undergoing treatment for cancer and I appreciate those that donate. He felt so much better after his transfusion.
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Post by disneypal on Jul 18, 2018 11:39:25 GMT
are the platelets the things they pay for? No - that is plasma (which I have never done before) When you donate platelets, blood is removed from one arm, and then a centrifuge separates out the platelets. The rest of the blood then returns to the through the other arm. While donating blood takes about 10 minutes (once you are hooked up and started), donating platelets takes 2 hours (usually they have many DVD movies for you to watch). Platelets do not have a long "shelf life" and must be used quickly (I think within 48 hours but it may be 24, I can't recall) - platelets are primarily used by cancer patients and are usually in high demand. You can donate platelets weekly (up to 24 times a year) but it does take a lot out of you (or at least it does me). I have never had problems donating blood, donate, up an at 'em but with platelets, I've nearly fainted.
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Post by M on Jul 18, 2018 11:43:04 GMT
Yes, a thousand times yes, I donate whenever I can, and have for about 10 years. Sometimes I get rejected due to either low iron or blood pressure, but I always get screened and any time I can, I throw my arm out there and let them have it. If someone can benefit from it, have at it! My aunt was a dialysis patient and received a lot of blood, as did a guy I used to work with, so I like to help replenish the pool in their honor and help someone else's aunt or coworker. Also, I get some kind of weirdo sense of cleansing from it.
Edited to add: My blood type is B+.
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Post by disneypal on Jul 18, 2018 11:47:26 GMT
Edited to add: My blood type is B+. Me too! I always tell people my blood type is like my attitude in life - B Positive
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Post by Miss Ang on Jul 18, 2018 11:49:28 GMT
I have donated for myself prior to surgery before but yesterday, I actually gave blood for the first time. I'm so glad I did! I have a huge dislike of needles but I decided that this was important enough that I really needed to just suck it up deal with a bit of minor discomfort to help others and I will be doing it regularly going forward. I actually took the contact information for the center and later today I will being planning to organize a blood drive at my work place in September.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,391
Location: Lost in my supplies...
Oct 26, 2014 17:02:56 GMT
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Post by kelly8875 on Jul 18, 2018 12:01:59 GMT
Yes! It is a passion of mine and I try to get others to donate too. Unless you have a health reason or do not qualify, I honestly do not understand why anyone would not donate. You could literally save a life!! I donate every 8 - 10 weeks and have been doing that for 5 years now. I wish I had started before then. I donate platelets several times a year, I would like to do that more often but it takes much longer to donate and it takes a lot out of me when I do. Good for you for donating! I hope that you will continue to make regular donations. I plan on donating again, I made my appointment for next time when I left. The blood center is only about 4 minutes from my new house and I literally drive by it every time I go somewhere. Pretty sure as long as I don’t have something physically preventing it, I’ll donate as often as I can from now on. I didn’t seem to have any issues with it, so why not?! Glad to see there are so many others who do too!
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Post by stormycat on Jul 18, 2018 12:07:36 GMT
I give as often as I can, as the sweet little boy sitting next to me received a transfusion after his brain injury. I am forever grateful for the donor who was a part of saving my sons life. you just never know when you might need blood.
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Post by piebaker on Jul 18, 2018 12:22:07 GMT
gillyp - CMV is Cytomegalovirus, a common virus that people acquire over time because it's mild, like a headcold. Once a person becomes CMV positive, their blood can't be used for premature infants and persons with weakened immune sysytems. My daughter was born premature and needed transfusions from three units of blood. I will be forever grateful those three people took the time to help her. I've tried to give back and donated when I was able. The last time I scheduled to give platelets, one of my levels was too low. This thread reminds me to try again.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 18, 2018 12:26:09 GMT
After living in France for a year I became ineligible to donate because of possible exposure to Creutzfeld-Jacobs Disease (AKA Mad Cow Disease). DH is O- and donates regularly. DD wanted to donate in HS and was ineligible because of her size. Just checked, and she is still ineligible. At 4'11", she would need to weigh 142 lbs. Only a year- total? You might be good to go: United Kingdom: You have visited or lived in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 thru 1996. European Countries: If you have spent a cumulative of 5 years or more since 1980. U.S. Military/Dependents/Civilian Military Employee: If you are U.S. Military/Dependent/Civilian Military Employee who spent a cumulative of six months or more between 1980 thru 1996 associated with a military base in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece, and/or 1980 thru 1990 in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany. I took donating blood very seriously and did it as often as allowed. I am over a gallon donor. Then, we moved to Europe. I was barred for about two years until the rules changed to the cumulative 5 years. I was living overseas at the time but was able to get another 18 months of donations. It is something I take quite seriously as I know people whose lives have been saved by blood donation. I'm not an ideal candidate. I have small veins, it takes a long time to feel a bag - regardless of how hydrated I am. Sometimes I would get screened out due to my iron levels. But! I'm O + and it is the least I could do.
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Post by kkooch on Jul 18, 2018 12:31:44 GMT
For years I was a regular donor. Stopped when I was pregnant and/or nursing. I'm one of the lucky ones also who has a blood drive where I work, in fact it is held in the auditorium right above my office. It kills me when I'm feeling crappy when they have one and I can't give. My mother use to give (not that I remember her giving but when she was younger) which got me to try donating. I still remember the very first time I gave. OMG they butchered me! Had ice pack so I wouldn't bruise too badly. I remember the nurse saying to not give up and give it another try.
So I just looked up my account and I have given 50 times which equals 6 gallons. In fact there is a drive today to get a free Six Flag pass. When they do big drives like that you think it will be super busy. Those are the ones to go to. They have TONS of staff working and if you can pump out a pint like me, you won't be there long at all.
I am the only one in my family who gives. Wish the rest of the gang would give. It's definitely life saving and you never know when it's going to be someone you love who will be saved by such a donation.
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Post by annabella on Jul 18, 2018 12:38:29 GMT
My job has a truck come to our building every year so I decided to do it last year for the first time to find out my blood type. But was told I’m disqualified from ever donating blood in this country since I was born in Europe.
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Post by Linda on Jul 18, 2018 12:41:49 GMT
I'm a blood donor - I have been since I turned 17 and was eligible. My Dad was injured in WW2 (V2 rocket Cine Rex in Antwerp) and reuired a corneal transplant. Knowing that made me want to both donate blood and sign up to be an organ donor.
Not sure how many gallons I've donated as it's been 4 different organisations over the years as I've moved around and I haven't kept track myself. I know I used to donate platelets back years ago (as a college student).
I just barely scrape in under the requirements (I'm about a week short of the 3 month limit in the UK) which irritates DH who isn't eligible (due to Army service in Germany)
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Post by giatocj on Jul 18, 2018 12:52:43 GMT
I have given just once. When my dad was sick and needed transfusions his firefighter brothers held a blood drive for him. I was very underweight at the time, and shouldn't have been allowed to, but I did. It was not a great experience for me, so I shied away from doing it for a long time. Now that I'd like to do it again, I'm can't because I never seem to be able to meet the 6 month wait after getting a tattoo. I'm working on a full sleeve and have work done every 3 months.
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carhoch
Pearl Clutcher
Be yourself everybody else is already taken
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Jun 28, 2014 21:46:39 GMT
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Post by carhoch on Jul 18, 2018 12:59:23 GMT
I grew up in Switzerland so I am not eligible but if I start foming at the mouth runaway its mad cow
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,646
Location: Kansas City -ish
Jun 27, 2014 2:38:58 GMT
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Post by Anita on Jul 18, 2018 13:02:11 GMT
Every time I try, I wind up being on the wrong side of borderline anemic. I tried again last month and was told the same thing.
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