Do you donate blood?

Amy911Gray

The fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies and Welch's Grape Juice. I do not like it when they "drill for blood", don't listen to me, and then air comes out--and they can't try again.

Jo_permiegirl

i donate whenever i can. i think for such a small price of time & slight discomfort, to be able to give life is incredible

M1chelles5

I'm severly anemic and have bleeding issues, so I can't donate. However, I'm a registered organ donor!

klakers3

I LOVE donating blood too! I'm also a rare blood type (AB-). I really like the feeling of knowing I'm helping people. I also enjoy the goodies and the stickers that they give out. I've donated waaay more than a gallon but never gotten a gallon pin I don't know if it's because I've donated in so many different places and with several different groups (United Blood Services, American Red Cross, etc.). Oh well. That won't stop me from donating. My least favorite part is reading the booklet and answering all of the questions. That seems to take forever!

sexforjaffacakes

I want to donate, but tattoos and pericings.

Also, I've had sex with men that have had sex with men.

And we all know all gay men have aids right?
no?
it's not the 80s anymore?

Ah okay...but for some reason, gay men aren't allowed to give blood. At least in the UK. Oh wait - they changed it this year, you can give blood if you abstain from sex for a whole year.
Yaaaaaaaaaay for no sex so that you can get stabbed with a needle and drained of blood!


but srsly, I'd like to donate blood, when my tattoos are a year old. And hopefully they change the rules so me and my best friend can go together by the time that happens (:

Giraffe33991

Yup every chance I get!!
A- blood type is always in demand.

I hate when my iron level is low & can't do it. Total bummer.

Elizabeth_M

I used to - but then I tested a false positive for something (due to human error) and now I am banned. lol Until they change the rules.... sigh.

I started when I was 17 and loved doing it. I, too, have a little bit of a rare type, A-, but it's not as needed as the O types!

ReinasWrath

I donate as often as I can ^_^ I love doing it cuz I feel like I'm helping out. I hate the dizzyness/light headed I get sometimes after =P

Elizabeth_M

I'm severly anemic and have bleeding issues, so I can't donate. However, I'm a registered organ donor!

I'm an organ donor, too. No way am I going to be selfish in death. Just imo of course!

05HeatherLouise05

I used to donate until they shut my local clinic down. The only place to donate now is 4-5 hours away.
And i'm also signed up to be an organ donor

DAMNCHARLIE

I actually found out I am very anemic (my son donates). So I may need some if these iron pills dont work.

ChubbyStudent25

I tried to once but my weight was too low. I could now if I wanted since I am heavier.

shammxo

I love donating! I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a while back, but my levels are normal again. It might not be smart for me to do it right away, but I think I'm going to. I've been waiting 9 months!

aircantu1

I have a million scars on my left arm from donating.

Me too

I have donated regularly for years, got my gallon mug, T-shirts, etc... then went one day before lunch (had a small breakfast) and passed out. It was horrible. I vomited everywhere, they called an ambulance, I was in bed for 2 days.

So, after years of good experiences that scared me away for a while. I finally got up the nerve to donate again just a few weeks ago (after a huge lunch) when my grandma was in the hospital right above the blood bank and everything went great so I hope to get back into the every 8 weeks pattern again.

I love the cookies

delco714

for all you A's out there.. they ask you for platelets I assume.. some crazy stuff donating platelets.. not for the faint of heart

lackie09

As a child I had to be given blood due to a wreck I was in and I think everyone of you that give. So my story is simple I give because I was given to as a child. I agree that the finger prick is the worst!

Elizabeth_M

Im not allowed because I have had transfusions myself... but thank you to those of you who do donate! I wish I could personally thank the people that donated blood to me because they saved my life.

I think that's a great thank you from someone who has benefitted from good donations. Makes ME feel good!

Ronngie

I don't donate, due to a slight clotting issue & that I tend to be borderline anemic. I had to receive blood once, and am so grateful to the person(s) who donated. Without it, I don't know what my recovery would have looked like. My husband is B positive and he donates all the time.

meshashesha2012

I do! I had to stop for pregnancies, but now I get to donate blood this week. I love knowing that I can help others, especially since my blood type is a little rarer (AB+) and I enjoy the guilt free cranberry juice and cookie. I just got my gallon pin and I'm working on the next gallon. The only drawback for me is when they poke my finger... it seems like that hurts the most.

If you donate, what do you like most and least about it?

i'm also an AB+. I donate plasma just for that reason since we are universal donors for plasma. for regular blood i dont donate as much as i should. i kind of figure since ab+ can accept just about everything, my type is pretty safe. of course if i were an O I'd be all about donating blood.

with donating plasma, i admit i do like the feeling of the room temperature red blood cells being pumped back into my body. it's like free air conditioning in the summer

Helenacabral1

I have donate blood for the pasted couple years but since a started to lose weight my Iron is too low!SO I;m working on gettting it back up!!!

catfish9

I want to donate, but tattoos and pericings.

Also, I've had sex with men that have had sex with men.

And we all know all gay men have aids right?
no?
it's not the 80s anymore?

Ah okay...but for some reason, gay men aren't allowed to give blood. At least in the UK. Oh wait - they changed it this year, you can give blood if you abstain from sex for a whole year.
Yaaaaaaaaaay for no sex so that you can get stabbed with a needle and drained of blood!


but srsly, I'd like to donate blood, when my tattoos are a year old. And hopefully they change the rules so me and my best friend can go together by the time that happens (:

That rule infuriates me! I absolutely understand them deferring folks with confirmed illnesses, but they work under the assumption that everyone who has had sex with a male who's had sex with another male is a risk. I think it's a lifetime deferral in the US. It isn't fair, and nearly stopped me from donation on principle. Then I thought about it, and decided that that wasn't fair, either.

Ronngie

for all you A's out there.. they ask you for platelets I assume.. some crazy stuff donating platelets.. not for the faint of heart

My Dad donates platelets, and he was a direct match for someone once. Important stuff!

ChubbyStudent25

no, I would be one of those people that they would call ALL the time to donate (I'm O+), and every single time I have to get an IV placed, they blow my veins...EVERY time.

if they promised to not harass me to donate, I may be more inclined to donate.

WOW, this is EXACTLY the same thing I've experienced. I have itty bitty veins that "roll"- I've asked if they could use smaller needles (they DO have them, use them for the double red blood cell donations) but they say NO- can't accommodate me.
I've tried anyhow, and my arm has been so painful from the bruising that I've missed a day's work the next day as a result.

If they say they can't accommodate you than say never mind and leave.

Squeeks70

Not only are you saving lives by donating your blood, you burn an average of 600 calories! It's a good thing all over!

Luvmesumkenny

♥ I wish I could donate... I have passed out EVERY time I have gone to give blood =(
I'm terrified of needles =(

vade43113

Not only are you saving lives by donating your blood, you burn an average of 600 calories! It's a good thing all over!

Except they give you a cookie for doing so

Alzzak

O neg, and nope I like my blood to stay where it is... inside me

katemme

Please remember if you don't qualify it is not because someone is out to get you or dislike you because of lifestyle choices it is all about the health and safety of the RECIPIENT not the feeling of the making the donation. We need to insure a safe blood/plasma system. In the past we had a very unsafe supply and still there are times when "Bad Blood" slips through. I am very passionate about insuring we have a safe supply because my family relies on a safe supply for our very lives. There is 30 thousand units of purified, dried blood product sitting in my fridge right now. Is it safe? I have no idea but we are tested at least once a year for hiv and hep.
If you have time there is a good documentary netflix "Bad Blood a cautionary tale"
http://badblooddocumentary.com/

watching it right now!! i love a good documentary.

Hmrjmr1

I used to give blood regularly for many years as did my late wife, Our blood was designated unwanted due to our time spent in England and the Mad Cow business, plus since that time my five years in Iraq, Checked just a month or so ago when the hospital I work in had a blood drive still don't want it.

Ocarina

I think it's wonderful people donate. I gave blood once but passed out for some reason and had to drink a ton of koolaid to come back. I won't go through that experience again. Glad to those that do though. :happy: