How often do you donate blood?

When I took my husband to work today, a blood donation bus was in the parking lot. I went ahead in and donated blood. Before today, my last donation date was 4 years ago! I'm going to start donating more often.

So how often do you donate blood. I believe you can donate every 8 weeks or so. So that is roughly 6x per year max, right?

I can't donate. I don't weigh enough. I really wouldn't want to donate anyways.

I can donate, but they will not take my blood because
-I've gotten a piercing/tattoo too recently.
-Decisions i choose to make about my adult life that don't effect my blood in any way.

Its really sad how much GOOD blood the red cross turns down.

When my dad started his chemo treatments, I gave platelets at least once a week. I now try to do whole blood once a quarter (all that I can) and platelets once a quarter. I'm at 47 donations currently. I'm going to try and hit the big 50 next year. I wanted to hit that number for my dads anniversary for being a cancer survivor this year, but missed it since the Red Cross is on my crap list.

Anyone who can give blood, should. Platelets are even better if you can commit to the long process.

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

I can donate, but they will not take my blood because
-I've gotten a piercing/tattoo too recently.
-Decisions i choose to make about my adult life that don't effect my blood in any way.

Its really sad how much GOOD blood the red cross turns down.

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You don't have to tell them the truth. People with AIDS knowingly give blood. If your blood is not viable, their tests will determine that and they will call you and ask you not to donate anymore. There's a reason why they take many samples :gj:

I had hepatitis as a teenager, so the won't let me donate. :( I am, however, on the National Bone Marrow Donation list. :)

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Originally Posted by jfreels

You don't have to tell them the truth. People with AIDS knowingly give blood. If your blood is not viable, their tests will determine that and they will call you and ask you not to donate anymore. There's a reason why they take many samples :gj:

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I'm terrified of needles, but I feel that i really should donate. I'll see if i can get my fiance to do it with me. Then i'll man up :)

I use to give blood 3 to 4 times a year, in France you cannot give more than that.

Since I have been here I have not gave blood once since I am not eligible too. :rolleyes:

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Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD). Learn more about vCJD and donation.

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Not that anyone would say anything I am sure if I was to give blood but I don't like lying so I'll keep my blood.

But I am on the national organ donor list............go figure no restriction there.

Back in high school I hung out with a student teacher most of the time who was very adamant about donating as often as you can. She'd bribe me and her other friends by taking us out to breakfast/lunch first and then driving us over to the donation center. Now that I've moved away it's just sort of a habit to do it whenever the donation drive comes around to my college xD It's easy for me, and I figure there's no good reason not to in my case

I used to do it all the time, until I started getting tattoos. You have to wait a year after getting a tattoo to give blood. I still have a few months.