please help if you can!

a blood mobile comes to our town 4 times a year. i go every time, and i really think it's a shame that more people don't bother to help out! yesterday, i went and donated blood and overheard a couple staff members saying that they had about 100 donations for the day. that's it! for a town of 5,000!!! i read an article a while back (just tried looking but can't find it) that said since, the red cross raised the eligibility standards, only 1/3 of the US population is able to give blood. and of those, an even smaller percentage actually does... can't remember exactly what it was... that's why i tried finding the article.

one advantage to donating is that they test EVERY donation for a whole bunch of diseases... HIV/AIDS for example... so many people are afraid to go get tested for it... whether it's because of money or embarrasement, here's your answer! it's free, and automatic! they will call and let you know if your blood isn't usable for any reason.

if you're worried about the needles or pain, don't be! really, all you feel is a little pinch. that's it! and it's so worth it when you think of the people who's lives you could be saving just by taking a half hour out of your day a few times a year! and what if you need blood one day? you never know...

sorry if i sound preachy... just something i felt should be said... just think about it!

I agree, I go whenever I can. The pain is very minimal. If you've had earrings put in or tattoos done, this is a snap. Best of all...free cookies!

omg!!! the volunteers baked fresh cookies and there was an apple sauce cookie with cinnimon (sp) icing... SO AWESOME!!!

I would, but I'm anemic and kinda need all the blood I've got. I tried to give blood one time, wound up unconscious, then wound up at the hospital. Even simple blood tests are a hassle. No more than 2 viles of blood can be taken before I go to lala land. I have absolutely no immune system (well, its weak anyway) and my body temp stays at about 96.3-96.5 degrees in the summer.....95.7-95.9 in the winter. I can't keep a tan to save my life, and I have the energy of an overworked 45 yr old. Fun stuff.

Glad you can do it though, that's awesome :)

i pass out when i give blood. i hate doing it. plus im a smoker so they probably dont want my blood.

i live in canada... and they don't want my blood. it takes me a long time before i can get up after i give it. i have no problem, i'd love to give it, but they told me not to bother coming back.

i do hope my kids will give blood when they are older though.

Our youngest son's school does a program called "Pint Sized Heroes" where they explain to the young kids why it's important to give blood and encourage them to encourage their parents. Then they do a blood donor clinic right at the school and provide a play area for the kids while the parents give blood. Mike and I are both signed up to donate.

Oh and it doesn't hurt that the kidlets get a free and very cool looking Pint Sized Heroes lunch box! LOL

oh what a great idea!!!

my high school used to have blood drives every 4-6 months and i would always try and give blood. but they always turn me down. wether it's cause i got a tattoo in the past 6 months or because my iron is low. something always gets in the way.

wow kobi... i'm amazed they let an anemic person donate! you would think they'd know better! and jo, that's a very cool way to encourage the kids!

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.