Donating Blood

[Triple 6]

Do you do it? If yes, why? If no, why? If you haven't would you? They had a little tent set up @ the Canada Day Festivities downtown and I took the few minutes to have my blood type tested and learn about donating. So curious about others and your thoughts.

[Bsuds]

Yes I have but can't now for medical reasons.

[Captain Awesome]

I'd do it more often if it didn't take that much time.

[flamingfingers]

I am B+ and they would take me if I wasn't taking antiplatelet med. Even at my age. But not willing to go off ASA for a few weeks to donate. Wish they could use it for something else cause my hgb is way up there.

[Triple 6]

I am B+ and they would take me if I wasn't taking antiplatelet med. Even at my age. But not willing to go off ASA for a few weeks to donate. Wish they could use it for something else cause my hgb is way up there.

I'm B+ too. Only 7% of the population have it. Who knew? I'm going to make an appointment and donate.

[Triple 6]

I'd do it more often if it didn't take that much time.

we could make a date ya know. Cookies and OJ?

[Lady tehMa]

I have veins that sink out of sight with needles . . . not terribly fun. When I was in the hospital having the kids, I had the veins sink with needles in (both arms, both wrists and they finally went in through the back of a hand). Ow. That and the scrips I take rule me out.

The techs at the lab cringe when they see me coming, especially if I have a large number of tests. Guarantee they won't get it all on one try >_<

[coffeeFreak]

If they returned to the drop-in donor clinics I would, but having to make an appointment doesn't work well for me.

[grammafreddy]

They won't take me, either. My mom, though, they loved. She had very rare blood and one time many moons ago in Victoria there was a serious car accident and they needed her blood - so they sent an ambulance out in a raging blizzard to pick her up - quite a few miles away.

[Imagination]

Oh yes, blood and plasma. It's kind of 'you do it for the community' attitude I was brought up with. I think my brother now has some wild total donations he got some special acknowledgement for and he does it like a religion after having some emergency surgery when he was very young (that required some blood) and I guess drove it home.

For those looking for a reason beyond just because it's a good thing to do for the others in the community, giving plasma often leaves a person with a real energy boost that lasts a couple of days (unlike giving blood which can leave you a little weak for a couple of hours). You can also donate plasma more often than blood so it's a bonus round for getting that energy boost and helping out being able to do it so regularly (you can do it weekly I believe).

[flamingfingers]

I have veins that sink out of sight with needles . . . not terribly fun. When I was in the hospital having the kids, I had the veins sink with needles in (both arms, both wrists and they finally went in through the back of a hand). Ow. That and the scrips I take rule me out.

The techs at the lab cringe when they see me coming, especially if I have a large number of tests. Guarantee they won't get it all on one try >_<

My lab feels the same about me. But next time, before you go, put a hot water bottle on your 'preferred' arm or ask the lab to give you a hot bean bag to put on your arm. That has helped make my lab tech "happy" (and me happier too).

[Catz]

I wish more people would. I can't for medical reasons. I have seen 40 bags on one trauma that saved a life! If you can, please donate.

[vetstuff]

I donate blood a couple times a year! I look at it this way....what if there was someone in my family or friend who needed a transfusion and there wasnt enough blood because people dont donate, that would be sad. Afterall its in us to give! Granted I am also a bone marrow donor and a organ donor as well. It makes me feel good knowing that I could be helping save a life.

[strwbrrydvl]

I actually have not ever donated but have always wanted to. I suppose I spent too much time in my younger day polluting my system and then in recent years I haven't been able to because of pregnancies and then just life being so busy. I am O+ and any blood type could take from me (except O-) so I would love to donate to help save almost anyone. Anyone who is O- make sure you donate, your type is rare and can only donate to fellow O- (and can only take O- blood).

Thanks for posting this thread Trip, it has reminded me of donating and I plan on making my first appointment with the vampires soon!

[normaM]

yes I give blood - they love my blood
For those with vein issues, ask them to use the child size needle, far less painful for blood work, giving, etc.
I would give marrow, I would give a kidney ( of course it would be Trip's )
Easy thing to do - can save a lot of lives