NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm a blood donor and on the organ donor register and am interested to know how people feel about this topic.
For example, how many people know their blood group? How many Nationstates players regularly give blood and why? If not, what are your reasons? Do you want to donate your organs?

All opinions welcome.

I have the stuff that makes me a universal reciever, so I don't donate my blood. But my father is O+ I believe, and he donates every month.

Every month? That's interesting, how much does he donate each time? In England you can only donate a pint three times a year.

When I lived in the UK I used to give blood. Here it is a little (a lot) more difficult to do. I still give occasionally though.

Every month? That's interesting, how much does he donate each time? In England you can only donate a pint three times a year.

I have no idea. It might be every 6 weeks or something. He donates plateletes, usually. (did I spell that right?)

I have no idea. It might be every 6 weeks or something. He donates plateletes, usually. (did I spell that right?)

I think it's spelt platelets. And I think you can donate those more often than normal blood.

Nope, I don't give blood. And I never will.

My only reason is because they had (And still do have sometimes) these commercials running around to give blood, with the slogan "Blood, it'sin you to give."
And well, blood is actually in you to keep (You loose enough of it, you die). So I'm protesting this stupid slogan by never giving blood.

Besides, I don't like needles.

When I lived in the UK I used to give blood. Here it is a little (a lot) more difficult to do. I still give occasionally though.

Why is it more difficult?

I'm O positive. So I'm like, the most common blood type and a universal donor.

I haven't donated in some time because they always time the clinics around here to be less than a week after my aunt flow has been in town so my iron is usually slightly under their minimum, but still within the healthy range. Believe me, I don't mind it at all and the free cookies and juice are added bonuses.

I think it's spelt platelets. And I think you can donate those more often than normal blood.

Yeah, he usually donates those.

I'm O positive. So I'm like, the most common blood type and a universal donor.
I thought O negative was the universal donor.

Every month? That's interesting, how much does he donate each time? In England you can only donate a pint three times a year.
Healthy donors can donate once every 56 days.
http://www.redcrossblood.com/blood_information.htm

With what happened last time I got a blood test, I'm never doing that again, or giving blood for that matter.

Wanna know what happened? I almost died.

I'm O-, universal donor. I had to give blood a lot in the military.

I thought O negative was the universal donor.
O anything is a universal donor.

O anything is a universal donor.
If your blood type is . . .

Type You Can Give Blood To You Can Receive Blood From
A+ A+ AB+ A+ A- O+ O-
O+ O+ A+ B+ AB+ O+ O-
B+ B+ AB+ B+ B- O+ O-
AB+ AB+ Everyone
A- A+ A- AB+ AB- A- O-
O- Everyone O-
B- B+ B- AB+ AB- B- O-
AB- AB+ AB- AB- A- B- O-
(yes, I know it's horribly formatted. But it used to be a table, what was I supposed to do?)
From http://chapters.redcross.org/br/northernohio/INFO/bloodtype.html

Ok, well it's still pretty damn universal, what % of the population is O-?

Also, being a woman, I'm glad to have the + bit as if I have kids who have an RH factor (whatever the hell that is) then my body won't attack them during pregnancy...

Indeed. I have AB+. I just called my mom and asked. :(

Ok, well it's still pretty damn universal, what % of the population is O-?
38% is O-, and 34% is A+, so you are correct, O+ can donate to a very large section of the population. assuming I'm remembering the statistics correctly.

I have the stuff that makes me a universal reciever, so I don't donate my blood. But my father is O+ I believe, and he donates every month.
Actually blood type does not make anyone ineligible. All types are needed. There are only a handful of medical issues which could disqualify someone, including low iron (a temporary condition) sickle cell and some blood-bourn illnesses. http://gso.redcross.org/bs/bs-eligibilityGuide.htm

Those who have time should do apheresis (platelets). This takes about an hour, but is MUCH more useful than blood alone - ten people versus only three. Because it removed less plasma it can be done more often. Every other week can be OK. Your dad is a trooper. Give him a hug. Right now. Really. then YOU get off your arse and either give blood or get a better excuse.

People really need to be reminded of what happens when you give blood. Three days later it is pumping through someone else's veins. A child with sickle cell, a victim of an auto accident, a grandmother in surgery, all are waiting for help. help YOU can provide for FREE. It is sad that there is such a shortage of blood. Blood has a very short shelf life (as if!) .
I get so sick of the pussy 'oh but the needle' bullshit. Say that to your grammy when she's going into surgery. Or your friend. or your friends friend. Get it?

I sadly don't have time for apheresis so I just donate blood. I do spend time on the advisory council of a blood bank and help out with special projects when I can. Now that I think about it, the council meetings are about an hour long...

Oh, and BTW - I'm A neg.

I'm a blood doner and on the organ donor register and am interested to know how people feel about this topic.
For example, how many people know their blood group? How many Nationstates players regularly give blood and why? If not, what are your reasons? Do you want to donate your organs?

All opinions welcome.
Yes, I think that's part of being a responsible citizen and fellow human. My blood type is A+ so it's rather common, but they always want us to donate anyway. I haven't donated in awhile, but use to as soon as the wait period for the last donation was up.

In North Carolina, they ask if you want to be an organ donor when you apply for or renew your driver's license. It's right there on your DL if you're a donor, which I am. After all, I won't need them when I'm not there. :)

I donate blood for the cookies.

A+, by the way. Will likely look into plateletpheresis/apheresis eventually.

I think I registered, then got a letter and had to say 'sorry no' 'cos I was off to America the next week.
Still I convulsed after I had a blood sample last time...

I think I registered, then got a letter and had to say 'sorry no' 'cos I was off to America the next week.
Still I convulsed after I had a blood sample last time...
That is unusual, particularly for a sample. I've hear of it only once before with a person who had been very ill as a child and got stuck several times daily with a needle. Now it triggers an involuntary reaction which is not pretty. It was about the only time I ever took the 'needle' excuse without thinking 'pussy'. There may be something in your head like that too.

I think I registered, then got a letter and had to say 'sorry no' 'cos I was off to America the next week.
Still I convulsed after I had a blood sample last time...
That is unusual, particularly for a sample. I've hear of it only once before with a person who had been very ill as a child and got stuck several times daily with a needle. Now it triggers an involuntary reaction which is not pretty. It was about the only time I ever took the 'needle' excuse without thinking 'pussy'. There may be something in your head like that too.

Yea I used to faint after injections, something about it going to my head. But I'm fine if I'm lying down. It's not as if I'm even scared of them, I find they hurt less than my friends allege and I even had a tattoo. All I remember about the blood test was I was in this semi-upright green chair (that might have been the problem) with lumbar support and after the nurse took the blood I woke up with a very sore back...apparently I arched :(

O+
I gave pretty regularly when living in the US, but cannot do so here in Japan. (The JRC's form is provided in Japanese only, my Japanese is not up to snuff, and they wouldn't permit translation of the questions. :()

I'm B+ , very common blood type. I don't recieve anything in the mail from them wanting me to go give blood like some people with rare blood types that have given in the past do. Guess they don't really need mine.

I thought my blood type was common , maybe not so..

Blood Type= B+
Percent of Americans with this blood type 10%
Who can receive this type B+, AB+



http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0877658.html
"Did You Know?

* Blood type is inherited, just like eye color.
* Certain blood types are more common in certain countries. In China, over 99% of the population has Rh+ blood.
* Different kinds of animals have different kinds of blood. Dogs have 4 blood types; cats have 11; cows have about 800.
* Some people think blood type tells about personality. Legend has it that Type A is calm and trustworthy; Type B is creative and excitable; Type AB is thoughtful and emotional; and Type O is a confident leader.
* In Japan, the idea of blood type as personality type is so popular that Japanese ask “What's your blood type?” about as often as Americans ask “What's your sign?”

Im on the organ donar register and carry a donar card, but ive never got round to donating blood despite my best intentions

I have the stuff that makes me a universal reciever, so I don't donate my blood. But my father is O+ I believe, and he donates every month.

Is that even genetically possible? If you are AB, I think your dad should be AB, A or B, not O. That's if my GCSE biology genetics serves me well.

*cough*Perhaps they're not related by blood*cough*

When I die, they can take every single organ or limb they want. I don't know how this goes in other countries, but here you're a donor until you make an official complaint against this. I don't mind, on the contrary, I would be honoured I can help someone even when I'm gone.

Is that even genetically possible? If you are AB, I think your dad should be AB, A or B, not O. That's if my GCSE biology genetics serves me well.


Actually, there is some special kind of O gene which is dominant, was some Indian guy that discovered it. So it is possible.

I cant donate due to a rare blood disorder I had as a baby

Give blood as often as I can. Are A- btw.

Here in Sweden we also demands that the people can read swedish, so I had e englis friend who wanted to give blood, but couldn't until he had learnt Swedish. Don't know why they have it like that.

*cough*Perhaps they're not related by blood*cough*

A bit OT perhaps, but around 5% don't have the biological dad they think they have :)

When I die, they can take every single organ or limb they want. I don't know how this goes in other countries, but here you're a donor until you make an official complaint against this. I don't mind, on the contrary, I would be honoured I can help someone even when I'm gone.

In Britain, there is an organ donor register which people apply to be on and carry a donor card expressing their wishes, however it is ultimately the decision of their family as to whether the organs are eventually donated.

I'm O negative so the Red Cross calls me when they have a shortage. I'm also signed up as an organ donor. I won't need them, they've served me pretty well, so I might as well pass them on for someone else.

I'm O negative so the Red Cross calls me when they have a shortage. I'm also signed up as an organ donor. I won't need them, they've served me pretty well, so I might as well pass them on for someone else.

hear, hear

I'm a registered organ donor. I used to donate blood (A-), but because I lived in England during the mid 90s & ate beef, I'm not allowed to donate blood in Aus any more. They're worried about the possible transfer of mad cow's disease.

Though this isn't agreeable to a lot of people, if your organs aren't suitable for donation and you still want to contribute, you might consider donating your body to the body farm at the University of Tennessee. It's kind of gross to think about, but the research done there has contributed to some big achievements in forensic science. I saw a documentary following the study of one corpse for several months, and it was really fascinating.

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/10/31/body.farm/

I've never given blood but I am an organ donor. I've got a very uncommon blood type as does my brother who requires a heart transplant. In the event of my untimely demise I'd hope that he got first dibs on my ticker but I'm not sure if that's possible. :( Is it possible to bequeath organs in a will? *sighs*

I've never given blood but I am an organ donor. I've got a very uncommon blood type as does my brother who requires a heart transplant. In the event of my untimely demise I'd hope that he got first dibs on my ticker but I'm not sure if that's possible. :( Is it possible to bequeath organs in a will? *sighs*

I believe it is in the US. A few months ago a man donated a kidney to a stranger of his choice. It was legal as long as no money was exchanged.

I believe it is in the US. A few months ago a man donated a kidney to a stranger of his choice. It was legal as long as no money was exchanged.
I think I heard about that case. Was he the one who solicied for a donor on the 'net then was told the doctors wouldn't do the transplant because it (the website) violated tranplant ethical guidelines?

As soon as I'm old enough I will donate blood. Not sure about my blood type.

I'll probably sign up for organ donation aswell.

I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to. It's so simple and yet can save lives.

I think I heard about that case. Was he the one who solicied for a donor on the 'net then was told the doctors wouldn't do the transplant because it (the website) violated tranplant ethical guidelines?

Yes. But they found a doctor that would do it and both came out fine. It does have ethical implications, though. As a family member, I don't see an ethics question.

As soon as I'm old enough I will donate blood. Not sure about my blood type.

I'll probably sign up for organ donation aswell.

I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to. It's so simple and yet can save lives.

That's the way I look at it. Why not give what you can?

BTW, I read your post to Tink, and I am really surprised to find out you are so young. That was a wonderful post!! I am truly impressed.

My daughter was an organ donor. When she died, 7 people received life-saving transplants. It's like she keeps on living in other people.

I would honestly love to donate blood, but I can't. I lived in Europe during the whole mad cow issue, and so I'm not allowed. Otherwise, I would. After all, it'll help someone, and what's a bit of blood to me, if I can make more? As for organ donation, when I die anyone can have anything they want. Go right ahead, I don't need it anymore and if it'll help someone to live a more normal life, I'm all for it.

That's the way I look at it. Why not give what you can?

BTW, I read your post to Tink, and I am really surprised to find out you are so young. That was a wonderful post!! I am truly impressed.

Exactly. I just find it so selfish. You don't need it, someone else does, why not give it to them?

Thank you :) I am supposedly very mature for my 14 (nearly 15) years. I guess it comes partly from dealing with depression so I've had to grow up and I've experienced more than most of my peers have and have learnt some things about life which can take others a long time to learn. I've also met a hell of a lot of people through the internet who are suicidal, depressed, grieving etc and give advice to them regularly keeping my inspirational quotes close to hand :p (along with the poems, the first one which I wrote myself). That's one of the reasons I don't regret my depression-it helps me to empathise and help others who are going through similar things. My favourite thing in the world is helping people and making them smile-I can't imagine doing anything better with my life. Hehe, so cheesy I know :p

I believe it is in the US. A few months ago a man donated a kidney to a stranger of his choice. It was legal as long as no money was exchanged.
I'll give you three cows and a chicken for it right now. Yes now! I don't care if you're still using it!

Have done so before, blood and plasma. Since my coming out I'm not allowed anymore since men who love men are considered a risk.

I'll give you three cows and a chicken for it right now. Yes now! I don't care if you're still using it!

Should I take bids? I can see it now on eBay.

Since my coming out I'm not allowed anymore since men who love men are considered a risk.
Because of a percieved risk for AIDS, or just because you are gay?

I am on the National Bone Marrow Registry here in Canada and i am an organ donor. I have never given blood, for most of my life i was under the minimum weight requirement since i have always been thin. I could now, i just haven't gotten around to it. No excuses, i just haven't. I don't know what my blood type is, my mom doesn't even know.

Have done so before, blood and plasma. Since my coming out I'm not allowed anymore since men who love men are considered a risk.

I understand that there is a greater perceived risk of AIDS in homosexual men but I really think it's about time greater research was carried out into this 'perceived risk' so that otherwise healthy donors are not eliminated.

I do two amazing things!

I give blood, and I pee standing up without dribbling all over the seat. Come on guys, we have the ability to AIM ours, why can't more of us do so properly?

I understand that there is a greater perceived risk of AIDS in homosexual men but I really think it's about time greater research was carried out into this 'perceived risk' so that otherwise healthy donors are not eliminated.
The occurance of HIV in homosexual men (note: not women) and intravenious drug users is substantially higher than the rest of the population. I'm sure there are plenty of qualified candidates who are IV drug users also, do you want to take the risk and us blood from an IV drug user when you are needing it?

I can't give blood because I'm underweight, so I picked no.

O negative. and i donate every 56 days.

The occurance of HIV in homosexual men (note: not women) and intravenious drug users is substantially higher than the rest of the population. I'm sure there are plenty of qualified candidates who are IV drug users also, do you want to take the risk and us blood from an IV drug user when you are needing it?

Point taken, however, I never mentioned IV drug users, I certainly do not think they should be able to give blood, I meant that although statistics suggest that there are more cases of HIV/AIDS in homosexual men, we are all equally at risk of contracting the disease if we do not practise safe sex, therefore, I do not believe homosexual men should be eliminated from giving blood, more that if there is a greater risk of their blood carrying the AIDS virus, stricter screen of samples is all that is necessary.

I'm a registered organ donor. I used to donate blood (A-), but because I lived in England during the mid 90s & ate beef, I'm not allowed to donate blood in Aus any more. They're worried about the possible transfer of mad cow's disease.
Same here :( (O+)

The occurance of HIV in homosexual men (note: not women) and intravenious drug users is substantially higher than the rest of the population. I'm sure there are plenty of qualified candidates who are IV drug users also, do you want to take the risk and us blood from an IV drug user when you are needing it?
They do test all donated blood anyway. Wether you're gay, drug user or a nun.

edit. Maybe they don't test all donated blood in every country but they certainly should.

Bah is all I have to say.

I want to give blood but people in general won't let me.

They won't let me give blood here in France cos I'm English.

They wouldn't let me give blood last time I tried to in England because they were full; and I hadn't made an appointment because the letter specifically said you didn't have to.

So nobody wants my blood, even though it's nice and rare (A negative).

So Bah.

Apparently they don't take South African blood (because of the risk of transmitting blood borne disease), so I haven't been able to donate. :S I suppose if I can find my blood test results (which we were required to have done before we started clinical work) I can take them along to prove I don't have anything...

I AM an organ donor though.

I'm an organ donar too, or at least I will be when I die.

Hopefully I can give blood again once I get back to the UK, and I'll make an appointment this time!

I'm an organ donar too, or at least I will be when I die.

Hopefully I can give blood again once I get back to the UK, and I'll make an appointment this time!

Just wondering why are you stuck in France?

I'll give you three cows and a chicken for it right now. Yes now! I don't care if you're still using it!
The Meaning of Life: Part Six
Live Organ Transplants

I travel a lot but I give blood whenever possible (about four times a year). I would love for the last thing I hear before I die to be something about how my heart or foot or testicle is going to be transplanted to someone else to make save their life (or, in the case of the foot and testicle, make their life better).

Oh, and I'm A+

i can blow bubbles off my tongue

i can blow bubbles off my tongue
O_O :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: eleven one 11!!

i can be on the computer for amounts of time that extend into the double digits of hours :)

I would seriously love to give blood, but I am also terrified of needles and the last time anyone took any amount of blood from me, I nearly threw up and nearly fainted at the same time. I also got all pale and dizzy and nearly sat back down again when I stood up. Pretty poor excuses, I know. :(

Apparently, I've spent too much time in Europe since *1980*. :rolleyes:

I mean, I can see if you've spent like half the time. But they're talking MONTHS out of over two decades! :(

I would give blood but unfortunatly every time I have tried they tell me that my iron is too low. :( My husband can and does though. He is a universal donor with the blood type O+ :)

I used to donate blood, but now I have to use some medication and am not allowed to. It was always a special event for me since Ma and I went there and donated. During the time we had to wait or sit down, we always talked or joked.

Even if you don't like the idea: Free coke and free chocolate IS a reason :)

I'd love to, and did once before being struck off the donation register when I wrote to them to clear something up which I wasn't sure about. Long story short, the form said "if you're a man who's had sex with another man with a condom" was fine, the accompanying literature said it wasn't, I wasn't sure which but I didn't want to ask the nurse to her face. I know they always keep it several days at least while they give it various tests so I thought I could write them and they'd still have time to destroy it if they didn't want it. I got quite an aggressive letter back, actually, telling me no, I wasn't fit to donate, I'd been removed from the register and never should have donated at all, and they'd destroyed the sample rather than using it.

I still carry the card they sent. I may not be able to donate because of a sodding technicality, but me and my guy are monogamous and each others' firsts, so if there's a Majax or something in Durham I'll still go and donate if I can.

Meanwhile, there's a bone marrow charity asking for donors tomorrow. May go along and see if I'm eligible for that...

~President Felix Niels

The Meaning of Life: Part Six
Live Organ TransplantsAnyone get this reference?

Just wondering why are you stuck in France?

Because my university sent me here for a year to study maths in French. It's what comes of doing a degree in mathematics with French I suppose.

Random question:

Why don't I have a title under my name like you guys all do?

Oh, and to get back on topic, I'm gonna go on the bone marrow donor register once I get back to the UK and actually manage to donate some blood :)

Because my university sent me here for a year to study maths in French. It's what comes of doing a degree in mathematics with French I suppose.

Cool, I'm a French and German student going for my PRA in September. Good luck with it all!

I used to try to donate, but I was turned down around 50% of the time due to low iron / low weight. Since I contracted falciparum malaria a few years ago, I'm not eligible at all :(

I am an organ donor, although I'm not sure whether my organs will go to sick people or to research - during my malaria treatment I was told I had a remarkable liver that recovered inexplicably quickly. I think it's down to all the training it's had :p

I have to wait another few months before I can give again because I've been to a malarial area.