DO you give blood?

[Adam]

I HATE needles, I really do. I hate having blood tests, but have to as part of your human MOT lol. Anyway, my PA forced me to sign up to give blood at the end of the month! Well ok she didn't force me, but convinced me to do it. I hate needles so much though, I am dreading this!!!! So does anyone else do it? Share your experiences, and if you don't how come?

[Burns]

I don't think anyone LOVES needles, LOL. Except maybe those people who can't stop getting tattoos... But think about it - a papercut hurts worse than donating blood. It seriously does. I've donated over two gallons of blood over the years, though don't do it as much now as I used to. I like the blood donor card that the Red Cross issued me because it lists my blood type. I used to make donating blood sort of a game - I try to break my own blood-giving record. My best time for a pint was 5 mins. It was hilarious - I'd sit there and pump my arm and really get the blood flowing - plus that means less time to think about it and the quicker to get your juice and cookies! Plus they say you save 3 lives each time you give blood. To me, that's worth the brief poke from the needle.

[Adam]

Yeah I know it is all for a good cause and everything. And I understand all the benefits. But I absolutely hate needles. I had blood test for a few things over the years, as you do, and hated everyone of them. And the thought of giving this much blood, well, it scares the crap outa me

[RooJ]

Yep, I started accidently though, I didn't realise id be signed up to go back. I origionally gave blood in college to get out of a lesson i hated . I was pretty nervous the first time, but its actually nothing, very very little pain and its over in no time at all (no sex jokes please :p). I've also had some of the cheapest nights out ever thanks to blood donations . Its really nothing to worry about, and just think, you'll be helping to save a life in the process.. well worth it in my book.

[NeAvO]

Oh dang it, I'm not allowed, I guess I'll leave you lot to the needles then

[Adam]

How come you cant?

[joey11223]

i cant wait until i can do that and be on bone marrow list!

[NeAvO]

Link courtesy of Burns: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Willebrand Basically I have a slow healing problem. I.e I might give a little too much blood. Don't get me wrong, I would like to help people but meh, who would want my messed up blood.

[Amethyst Star]

It's been a while since I've donated, but it just depends on the time and location of the donation. There was one time I received a phone call and they said that it was going to take place at our local prison.... I said no. The last time I donated, I almost passed out. I had eaten lunch and went in at my scheduled time, but they were running late and so I had to wait a while. It was kind of a cool feeling and some time I may just pass out for the heck of it, but when my vision started to go black I told the lady who was going by, "Um, I think I'm going to pass out," in a very calm and collected voice.

[Burns]

The last time I donated, I almost passed out. I had eaten lunch and went in at my scheduled time, but they were running late and so I had to wait a while. It was kind of a cool feeling and some time I may just pass out for the heck of it, but when my vision started to go black I told the lady who was going by, "Um, I think I'm going to pass out," in a very calm and collected voice. huh, I've never felt even woozy afterwards. One time I actually gave blood, and then had 3 hours of hardcore basketball practice immediately afterwards, and I was fine. Never felt weak or light-headed once. It's funny because in my experience, it was always the big, tough guys that passed out after giving blood. They have the furthest to fall, haha.

[RooJ]

i cant wait until i can do that and be on bone marrow list! I've been thinking about joining the bone marrow donation list too, I keep seeing the advertisement in the donation folder but have yet to take the plunge. Anyone else on that list?

[Howie]

I've been thinking about joining the bone marrow donation list too, I keep seeing the advertisement in the donation folder but have yet to take the plunge. Anyone else on that list? One word. ---> Pain. But I admire you. I give blood, but not on a regular basis. I like to see it spoil it the back of a blood mobile.

[Howie]

huh, I've never felt even woozy afterwards. One time I actually gave blood, and then had 3 hours of hardcore basketball practice immediately afterwards, and I was fine. Never felt weak or light-headed once. It's funny because in my experience, it was always the big, tough guys that passed out after giving blood. They have the furthest to fall, haha. This is because our hearts are so large that they can't adapt to less blood.

[Alcarinquë]

Actually I can't give blood right now but when I can in January, I will.

[Burns]

This is because our hearts are so large that they can't adapt to less blood. Or the blood is being used by other parts of the body than the brain...lol /me pulls her mind out of the gutter.

[NeAvO]

Or the blood is being used by other parts of the body than the brain...lol /me pulls her mind out of the gutter. You mean the downstairs brain???

[Burns]

You mean the downstairs brain??? That's the one!

[RooJ]

One word. ---> Pain. But I admire you. Don't they have that stem cell apheresis technique now, so in most cases you can avoid the whole... needle in the hipbone thing?

[Howie]

That's the one! Yes, I always get light headed form that! Don't they have that stem cell apheresis technique now, so in most cases you can avoid the whole... needle in the hipbone thing? I don't know. good question

[Replicon]

I said "no" because unfortunately, I'm not technically allowed to give blood. I used to before, but turns out if you've lived in Germany for 6+ months during a certain period in the early 80s, you can't, cause you can be a carrier for something.

[Sec]

I'd love to give blood but I am shocking with needles. I don't have a phobia or anything but I always pass out about 5 minutes afterwards. After a blood test they took one needles worth. I was fine for a while, then I was out for a good forty minutes, so giving blood would be a mission

[archdreamer]

Yep. Not only does it save lives, but where I live, if there's something unusual on the blood tests they do each time, they will tell you. It's a win-win, so get donating!

[SilverZero]

I used to donate blood, but I got tired of them calling me every eight weeks (or whatever the minimum interval is). Plus, I worked as a phlebotomist for a while, and I read some journal articles about nerve damage resulting from botched insertions. I need complete tactile stability right down to my fingertips, and I got a bit paranoid. If there was a crisis, I'd donate again, but for now, I'm laying low. Also, I did a lot of needle drugs with prostitutes at London steak houses in the early 80's, and I got tired of lying on the questionnaire just to get my vitals recorded and my finger pricked by the hot nurses. The guilt wasn't worth the flirting. I can dream it now, anyway.

[Clairity]

I've been thinking about joining the bone marrow donation list too, I keep seeing the advertisement in the donation folder but have yet to take the plunge. Anyone else on that list? Well I've given blood and for me the "thought" of giving blood was alot worse than the actual "giving". I just make it a point to NEVER.. I repeat NEVER watch as they stick the needle in (whether it be giving blood or getting a shot). I am also on the bone marrow donation listing. I mean how wondrous would it be to literally save someone's life when possibly no one else could? I would probably wet my pants if they ever called me (cuz I hear it's really painful) but how could I say "no". .

[pj]

A favorite topic. I try to donate about every ten weeks or so. It used to be every eight, but after several times barely being accepted because of low red blood count and then an outright deferral, I started stretching it to ten or twelve. There has been no problem since. I'm B+, which is rare; about 6% of the population has this type. I am also CMV negative, the combination of which drops me to about 3% of the population or lower. CMV Negative means I don't have CMV antibodies, which means I've never had cytomegalovirus, a very common viral infection. Once the infection is contracted, the virus remains forever in the white blood cells, though the antibodies keep it from doing anything. Most people who have it don't even know, or think they have had a cold or something. For the vast majority of the population, it is of no consequence. For premature babies, newborns and people with compromised immune systems who are also CMV negative, receiving blood that isn't CMV negative is life threatening, potentially leading to encephalitis, viral pneumonia and other nasty things. The simple translation of this is when I give blood, it is going to premies, infants, pregnant mothers and burn victims. Who knows... that may be my primary purpose in life! I'm a blood factory. Perhaps my blood has been a factor is saving somebody who will be really important or influential! I won't know in this life, and that's probably for the best. If we really understood the power of our interactions, actions and choices on lives and this world, most of us would probably be terrified. It is something to think about though. A word or two in youth can change the direction of an entire life. A small anonymous gift may bring encouragement and new hope in the depth of despair. A visit may remind somebody that they are not alone in this world. A prayer may move a mountain. A pint of blood may save somebody's precious baby... or an entire nation.