please help if you can!

Melanie,
Great post. I always love to see people donate. I have been donating every eight weeks like clockwork since I was 18. I did miss a 3 year period in there when the Marine Corps sent me to Afghanistan, and they would not accept my blood. But other than my short hiatus, I give every 8 weeks on the dot. I am now 2 donations away from my 6 gallon donor award. Props to all those that help save lives by this act of kindness.

I've tried to give blood despite my needle phobia... my heart rate wouldn't come down enough for them to draw... oops!

Hi,


I used to donate twice a year and even managed to get my first badge (25 pints) then I got diagnosed with diabetes (type 2) and the pills mean I can't give blood any more.:(

I asked about donating platelets ( or something similar) but they never got back to me. I still carry my card though as, if I was in an accident then they would know what to give me.


dr del

Here in Mississippi if you give blood on a regular basis if you or a family member ever needs blood they get first priority and it free of charge. So I give even time I can.

The hubby and I donate plasma when we're able to (read have the time to do so). They plasma center here pays ya for it, like $15 a visit and you can go twice a week so, needless to say, there are a LOT of people around here who donate... especially low income people.

The hubby and I can not donate blood because we both have tattoos, even though neither of us have hepatitis, HIV or anything else, but, the standard and such. :rolleyes:

Yeah; Mark and I are tattooed.. and I am borderline anemic depending on what time of the month it is. I would love to donate if I could.. maybe I will look into it. If they test you out, it could be a nice way to see if you are carrying anything; right? My mom donates often.

i have four tattoos and it hasn't been a problem. they ask everytime if you've gotten a new one in the last year. when i said yes, they asked what the setting was and when i told them it was in a licensed parlor with new needles and sterile equipment, they said okay.

tim~ every 8 weeks? that's amazing! good for you! six gallons is insane!

ed~ that's a really cool program you guys have there! i wish we had it there! that would really encourage more people!

derek~ it's what you DID donate that counts! maybe you could donate plasma like shadowspider? i don't know what the regulations are on your side of the planet...

everytime i go in to donate, i hold my breath when they run the test drop through the testing machine thingie because i'm always right on the cut off for low iron. they cut you off at a level of 12.5 and that's what i draw every time. the last time they were in town, i couldn't donate because it was too low... i was pretty dissappointed. but this time around i passed (12.5 of course) and gave them their pint in record time! lol!

I'm always biting my lip on the iron test too. I've had iron problems my whole life and if you're even one point below the min. they won't let you donate. Now I just make sure to eat a good spinach heavy salad for 2 days before hand and my iron levels are always well within range.

I think it's awesome that you all donate, I wish I could say the same of myself! I have a terrible needle phobia, and the one time I managed to get the courage up to go...I passed out :(

I hate it too. Not only am I that bad with shots/drawing blood, but in a tattoo, I have to make sure i have water, and have them stop every 30 minutes or so because at about the 15 minute mark I feel like I'm about to a. puke, or b. pass out.

It's pathetic really.. Otherwise I'd be going as often as they'd let me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by python.princess

because i'm always right on the cut off for low iron. they cut you off at a level of 12.5 and that's what i draw every time. the last time they were in town, i couldn't donate because it was too low... i was pretty dissappointed. but this time around i passed (12.5 of course) and gave them their pint in record time! lol!

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I am just the opposite. I had to come back one time because my iron was too high. If I rember right, the cutoff is 54, and I was a 55. I normally run about 46 every time. Also, congrats on the record time, as it takes me forever to give a pint. My Cardio CRP(blood viscosity) is a 4.5, and normal is 3.0. Therefore, my blood being so thick, means it takes me about 35 - 40 minutes to shuck out 450 milliliters.