Blood Donating

[mitsuki lover]

I just came back from donating blood.Felt a bit dizzy afterwards but that was ok as I feel better now.So how many other people have given blood or usually give blood?
Note:Giving blood,unless you have religious objections,is something that all of us need to consider doing at least once in our lives.

[Fish and Chips]

Yeah, I've given blood before. Felt a little light headed afterwards, but also fairly good about myself.

[Doubleshadow]

I am not allowed to give blood (I don't weigh enough), but I help out during the blood drives by doing volunteer tasks.
It is important. My mother has told me stories about hospitals running out of blood and not having enough to save people. The example that sticks with me is one about a hospital that had a toddler injured in a car wreck bleed to death because they had run all their blood through an old drunk who had ruptured his esophageal varices; although in this case they would have needed a donor on hand.
Also, giving blood regularly will ward of the effects of hemochromatosis in men, which is good because its so common (iron build up in the blood damages the liver, causes heart disease, arthritis), but its almost never tested for.

[Tenshi no Ai]

I am not allowed to give blood (I don't weigh enough)

With that factor, I don't think I can either, plus I have low blood sugar often. If I didn't though, I'd probably donate some.

[K. Ayato]

I've given blood 18 times, as of last Friday. I've felt a bit dizzy and lightheaded, but it only lasts for about a day, then I'm my old self again.

[Reba]

The only Rejection Id have is that you could get HIV/Aids and maybe other things because the needles aren't clean, A person in our church, That happened to him.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Um... Reba... it's done in a clinic/hospital type setting, so I don't think it happens that way.

[Cap'n Nick]

Way to go, ML! Blood donation is totally for the win.

[BikanDesu]

I wish I could donate blood! But alas, I cannot having lived in countries and had diseases which are blood donor taboo. But I totally support it. Way to go! Oh yeah, but does anyone know if they are picky about things like Malaria and living in Africa when it comes to donating Plasma?

[K. Ayato]

I don't know for sure, but I think so, Desu. The malaria bug floats around in the bloodstream, so it could very well be hiding in the plasma of an infected person as well, instead of the blood cells themselves.

[Raiden no Kishi]

One of these days, I'll have to go in and donate. I've been wanting to for years. My dad has O type blood, which can [in a pinch] be used for people of other blood types successfully, so they want him to come in as many times as he can. XD However, he went on a missions trip to Guatemala several years ago, where he was at risk for malaria, so he hasn't gone in in quite some time.

.rai//

[WrestlingOtaku]

I gave some blood last semester. I didn't have enough to drink and I was so dizzy that I had to pull over to the side of the road and call my Mom to come pick me up, but I felt better about an hour or two later.

I normally hate needles, but it's for a good cause, so.... yeah. I totally did not do it for extra poker chips at our college Fall Fling to play Black Jack with.... totally did not do it for that... >.>

[Cap'n Nick]

The Captain has O+ blood. Smooth O flavor, with that Rhesus factor kick!

[K. Ayato]

My blood type isn't real high in demand. I have A+, which I learned is what they want more plasma of. I've never considered a plasma donation. How does that one work?

[BikanDesu]

Um, I've never done it but I've seen it done. They hook you up to a machine and stick a needle in each arm. The blood/plasma comes out one arm and goes through the machine where they spin it super fast and separate the cells from the plasma. Then they collect the plasma and put the cells back in your arm via the other needle. I've heard it takes a while, but most of the time you get money for donating plasma. I think $50 a pint down here.

[K. Ayato]

There's a local Blood Bank not too far from where . I'll ask 'em about plasma next time. I might not actually donate, mind you, but I would like some more information, you know?

[bigsleepj]

I donated blood twice last year. I should try again this year. But I hate needles.

[mitsuki lover]

They come up from Spokane about every 8 weeks and do the blood bank at our
United Church of Christ.
I am O positive and my dad is A positive.My mom is O negative.

[Ingemar]

I donated blood twice last year. I should try again this year. But I hate needles.

I don't hate the needle, I hate the stupid dollop of iodine they rub on before putting the needle. Extremely ticklish.

Oh, and I've donated maybe six times. Almost enough to fill up a milk jug.

[carneman]

my school is having a blood drive soon, and im finally old enough to donate! huzzah!

[Destroyer2000]

Heh, I gave blood, and when the bag was nearly full, I got rreally dizzy and blacked out. It was a strange feeling, to say the least. Haha. I haven't given blood since.

[Fiore teh Duck]

I'm not allowed to because... 1) I'm not 17 2) I don't weigh enough 3) WITH MY DISORDERS? PFFT. We don't want that crap circulating through the rest of the normal population!

I try to help out anyway though.

[K. Ayato]

What disorders do you have, FiFi? Maybe you can volunteer at the canteen (the place you stay for 15 minutes)!

[Fiore teh Duck]

I'm a haemophiliac... so really it's more of a my safety thing then anything else. >-< because like 80 things could go wrong that may potentially end in me dying DX

[K. Ayato]

Gotcha. I remember now that questions regarding hemophilia are known as the "high-risk" questions.

[Kiba-kun]

They lowered the age to sixteen here (I'm not sure about everywhere else) so I am prettty soon. I ain't useing that extra pint. That and I'm curious about my blood type.

[K. Ayato]

Here in California, after you give blood for the first time, you get a donor's record card, that lists your blood type. Afterwards, there should be no doubt as to what type you're carrying .

[Fionn Fael]

I'm O negative, so my blood type is in high demand, but I am deathly afraid of needles. I mean seriously, on my Things I'm Afraid Of list, needles are definitely #1. I won't be old enough until September, but I'm already scared to give blood. My high school's National Honors Society chapter holds a blood drive every spring, and since I'm President Elect, I'm pretty much obligated to donate. Urgh. *shudders*

[uc pseudonym]

Coincidentally, my donor card is in my pocket at the moment. I'm all for donating blood; it's a very easy thing to do but it can potentially do a lot of good. I've never had problems with dizziness or that type of thing; most of the time I'd say I'm probably more stable on my feet than the elderly volunteer that escorts you to the canteen area.

I might not actually donate, mind you, but I would like some more information, you know?

I'm sure they'd be happy to give you information. I have a lot of friends who donate plasma for the cash (I haven't because the trip to the nearest collection center is inconvenient for my schedule). But from what I've heard you sit in the chair for several hours (they generally play a movie) while they separate your plasma. Because they put your RBCs back in they say they feel fine afterward.

[K. Ayato]

Thanks, UC. I might do that when I'm eligible to donate again.