Giving Blood

SaraTonin
SaraTonin Posts: 551 Member
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
Today on The Doctors they have Dr. Sears giving blood to the Red Cross and talking about our blood types.

My sister is a laboratoray technician at United Blood Services. She's the one testing your blood to make sure it's good, and that all of the donor antibodies are compatible with the person who needs blood! It's an important job keeping blood safe, and I'm very proud of her.

I am too small, so they don't let me donate. I have always wanted to give, though.

Do you give blood or plasma?

It burns a lot of calories replenishing your blood supply, and you can save lives!!
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Replies

  • Lollyvoddy
    Lollyvoddy Posts: 194 Member
    I definitely give blood :) So many people are ruled out for various reasons, I wish more people who could, would. Never thought of it in terms of burning calories, lol.
  • kbanzhaf
    kbanzhaf Posts: 601 Member
    I give blood when I can......and have for several years. The problem for me is that in our small area towns, the hours don't work well for working people to donate (works for the farmers though -- LOL).

    My younger brother's life was saved years ago by the generosity of blood donors, so I know the need. I agree with Hay1978......I wish more people who could, would.

    Kaye
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I would, but I've been tattooed & pierced within the past year, and I'm getting another tattoo in a few weeks. So... I guess it'll be April 2012 when I can donate.
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    what the size requirement? I can't give blood due to emphysema...I also have a type of haemophillia so that would probably bar me too.

    Well done to everyone that does donate tho
  • sanura
    sanura Posts: 459 Member
    I used to donate, but can't now due to thyroid medication.
  • McBody
    McBody Posts: 1,703 Member
    I'd love to be a donor, but I lived in England and Germany for long periods of time and am "at risk" for CJD (aka Mad Cow). I would also love to donate a spare kidney I happen to have lying around (I literally have 3, fully functioning kidneys) but again can't donate because I lived in Europe after 1980 and before 1996.
  • SaraTonin
    SaraTonin Posts: 551 Member
    ^ My boyfriend wanted to give plasma for cash and couldn't due to living in France (mad cow). He still goes on and on about it. Craazy about the third kidney! You must have some really clean blood. ;)
    what the size requirement? I can't give blood due to emphysema...I also have a type of haemophillia so that would probably bar me too.

    Well done to everyone that does donate tho
    115 lbs, but they told me last time I tried to give (I was over 115), that they really would rather you be 120.
  • tinboy
    tinboy Posts: 121 Member
    tried to several times, either underweight or tattoo's too recently....(currently undergoing cosmetic tattooing). i think it is an awesome thing to do.
  • Tree72
    Tree72 Posts: 942 Member
    When I was in college I gave plasma twice a week for several years. Then when I got a job I gave blood. Then they instituted the precautions for CTJ (mad cow) and I'm not eligible any more since I lived in Europe during the wrong times. :grumble: Being from a military family, I know lots of people who fall into this category now. I really hope that they can develop a test so that we'll be eligible again some day.
  • caitlinclock
    caitlinclock Posts: 528 Member
    I have donated blood in 2 different countries.
    I donated in the United States and I donated when I was living in New Zealand! :)

    I agree it is very important!!
  • clearly_ninja
    clearly_ninja Posts: 62 Member
    I have always been too underweight to give blood although I've always wanted to, and now i'm heavier I can't because of my crohns medication. Its a shame because i'd love to help out.
  • ecreigh2
    ecreigh2 Posts: 14
    I try to donate as often as possible. I was curious, any one know how many calories you burn donating blood? Or if there have been any studies about it? I bet it also affects how much of your previous, recent food intake is absorbed.
  • SaraTonin
    SaraTonin Posts: 551 Member
    Mayo Clinic says about 650 calories.
  • jen0619
    jen0619 Posts: 414
    I donate every chance I get. (So pretty much every 8 weeks) I am also part of the donate for life and it makes me happy knowing I can. I am eligible for plasma as well just haven't done that in a long time!
  • ablueskier
    ablueskier Posts: 104
    650 Calories burNed but keep in mind that is not all in one week, it takes a couple weeks for the body to finish replenishing the blood and it's that action which causes the burn.

    I donate several times a year but I have to be careful since I am borderline anemic.
  • slimkitty
    slimkitty Posts: 418
    I give blood. I didn't know about the calorie requirement to replenish it. Never understood why they always give you a donut and juice after giving blood. I really feel like having a big steak afterwards.
  • heathersmilez
    heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
    Doesn't the US pay for blood donations? Canada doesn't.... sad

    That's NOT why I don't give, I stopped after being lied too and treated horribly my first time at age 17 (and yes I know people dying shouldn’t suffer the result of an a-hole nurse but I’m still immaturely holding a grudge) BUT free money would definitely be a nice motivator.

    Get on that train Canada!
  • songofserenity81
    songofserenity81 Posts: 138 Member
    I used to donate, to me it was important especially considering I am O Neg,but following a transfusion after the birth of my daughter they will no longer take my blood even though to my knowledge there is nothing wrong with it :cry:
  • SaraTonin
    SaraTonin Posts: 551 Member
    ^ Once you've had a blood transfusion you're less likely to be a match for someone else. It's not a matter of blood type, but the number of antibodies you carry and if it matches the donor. The more transfusions you've had the harder it is to find blood that matches you, and very hard to find some that matches someone else.
    Doesn't the US pay for blood donations? Canada doesn't.... sad
    The US doesn't pay for regular blood donations. We sometimes pay for plasma donations, which takes the "liquid" out of your blood and puts back your red blood cells.

    As for the donut and juice, they give you those because it spikes your blood sugar quickly so you don't pass out. A steak is great for that iron, but you don't need it as immediately as sugar.
  • a_stronger_steph
    a_stronger_steph Posts: 434 Member
    Wow, it's really remarkable how many willing people are barred from donating blood for one reason or another. Definitely need to keep the blood supply safe but it really is a shame they can't do a definitive test for the folks who were "at risk" for mad cow!

    I was really excited to donate blood... but the first and only time I tried, I passed out shortly after they started! When I came to, they had taken the needle out already. I asked if they couldn't have just kept going but they said they weren't allowed (which, really, does make sense, haha).

    I thought it was just a weird one-time thing, but I went to have blood taken for testing not too much longer after that (a few months maybe), and passed out during the 2nd or 3rd vial. Apparently I punched the nurse in the eye while I was passing out, too. No recollection of that, and I was horrified to find out!

    So... I think my body has a fondness for its blood, and shuts down when someone tries to take it! That, or it could be psychological, but I honestly have no actual fear of needles/blood/whatever. So I don't know what my dealio is!
  • KimDis
    KimDis Posts: 24 Member
    What you're describing is called a vasovagal response & it happens. Sounds like "the stick" (venipuncture) is what triggers it. But it can be triggered by seeing another donor have a response and sometimes it even happens to people who are regular blood donors.

    I work in the industry & would love to tell you that you lose tons of calories donating - trust me we need your blood. But I just want to reiterate that this is not something I'd necessarily put in as "calories burned". It takes your body days & weeks to replenish the components removed during donation. You could probably burn as many calories parking your car just a bit further away in the parking lot every day.

    As far as I can tell the Mayo Clinic has removed the calories burned information from their web page about donating. There has to be a good reason for that. But they've given lots of good reasons to donate anyway.
  • a_stronger_steph
    a_stronger_steph Posts: 434 Member
    What you're describing is called a vasovagal response & it happens. Sounds like "the stick" (venipuncture) is what triggers it. But it can be triggered by seeing another donor have a response and sometimes it even happens to people who are regular blood donors.

    Ahhh, you're awesome, it has a name! Thanks!!
  • myalex2000
    myalex2000 Posts: 2 Member
    I donated today and I am confused on how to calculate the calories... help please

    Tanya
  • Kristinemomof3
    Kristinemomof3 Posts: 636 Member
    I donate, need to soon, I have a cold right now and need to be healthier befor I go again. Here they sometimes offer giftcards that are donated by companies. Very rarely though.
  • zasiiniya
    zasiiniya Posts: 100 Member
    I've given blood once, this past October. I had tried 3 times before and been rejected all 3 - twice because my iron was too low and once because they couldn't find a vein. But it finally worked! I plan to give again as soon as they return to my university.
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    I used to give blood regularly, but I had to stop when I attempted three consecutive times and almost fainted each time. Now, I just feel guilty whenever they advertise that blood stocks are low. :tongue:
  • bluberrygoo
    bluberrygoo Posts: 222 Member
    I tried 4 times, but was rejected every time for my weight, too low.
  • StatutoryGrape
    StatutoryGrape Posts: 365
    I tried once, but I was rejected because my veins are too difficult to find.
  • Hev_uk
    Hev_uk Posts: 82 Member
    I give blood. I have really difficult veins but I know where they are so tend to help the staff out when I go. I feel good when I do it. My Dad has been a donor for years and my mum received blood during cancer treatment so it's really important to me.
  • katzblood
    katzblood Posts: 41
    I'm giving blood later today and am just hoping I dont get ill in the next few days since that seems to happen to me the last few times I have given..
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