NationStates Jolt Archive

I did it for the first time a while back. I've still got the track marks, and I'm sooo proud of them. I just wanted to know how many NSers donate, and why y'all do (if you do).
Has anyone here donated plasma? Please share your experiences if you have, because I'm seriously thinking about it. You can donate more often, and you're not giving up any iron (as a vegan, I try to hold on to what iron I do have).

Yeah, but not on a regular basis. I'm A rh+.

Never. It's my blood goddamn it!

Yes, because it's good for me; also, I have type O negative blood and can get paid for my donation if there's a shortage because it's the universal donor.

Nope, but only because they don't want my blood...I've got a chronic anemic condition :).

I haven't ever. The two occasions where I could have I was busy the first time and not feeling well the second time. Right now, I can't donate blood because I'm under medication. I've wanted to do it, although I positively hate the idea of getting something stuck into me, but I haven't managed yet.

From my experience the only bit that hurt was when they cut your finger a little bit to check your iron levels. Other than that, it was lying on your back thinking about how you were doing a good deed (and when I was at school, skipping maths to do it ;) )

Do it every so often. It's good karma.

They give us OJ and money (or gifts) and cookies and sandwiches here when we donate. It's quite cosy if you bring a few friends with you.

Hmmm It's something I've always wanted to do... but my grand father had dialysis for his last seven years... since what blood donation freaks me out

Yup - I'm B-, so my blood is pretty desperately needed (in the UK at least, where O, A and Rhesus positive are far more common).

Never. It's my blood goddamn it!
Leave it a day and you'll have replaced it. You have nothing to lose but your fear, youngling...

I have not donated blood because I do not think the want it. I'm O positive but since I have chronic Crohns Disease, I don't think it would be..."helpful".

I have recieved though; two years ago when my condition put me into anemic shock.

I cannot stress enough that donating blood is important. It saved my life and it can and will save others.

Yes, because it's good for me; also, I have type O negative blood and can get paid for my donation if there's a shortage because it's the universal donor.

same here. it's great.

I am O Rhesus Negative.

I give blood whenever and as often as I can.

http://www.blood.co.uk/images/gr_something_amazing.gif

http://www.blood.co.uk/images/stock/StockLevel.gif

I'm AB. Nobody really wants my blood.

I've never donated blood and I don't particularly want to, cus it and go to the "NHS" and don't get me started on that!

I'm AB. Nobody really wants my blood.

You never know...One day there may be some essentric billionaire who needs blood and yours is the only match!

I give as often as I can for the good karma and because its basically a free disease checkup. They test it for HIV/AIDS, aneimia and alot of other diseases and let you know if anything comes up.

Nope, I'm not fond of needles ....

i'm O+ and i give whenever i can. the thing that hurts most for me is when they pull the tape of the hold the needle down, pulling out arm hairs

I've donated both blood and plasma. Blood because I lived in a large metro area that consistently had blood shortages, plasma because I was a poor, unemployed college grad during the summer of stagnant economy.

Even though it's the red blood cells that contain your iron, and you keep those when you donate plasma, they always checked my iron each time I went to donate. Fortunately, my iron is always insanely high for a woman, and I never had a problem donating.

Yes, I do regularly.. the workplace organises a time for all of us who want to go to go, so I take them up on the offer... and the free sandwiches and cakes are always nice too ;-)

I'm A rh + blood group... the most common type here in Sweden...

Hey, am I going to use that extra pint of blood? No, someone else can make much better use of it than I.

Never have. Never will.

I'm AB. Nobody really wants my blood.You are the universal donor for plasma!
Lucky bastard.
You can donate once a week, too.
yay :)

You are the universal donor for plasma!
Lucky bastard.
You can donate once a week, too.
yay :)In other words, cancer patients and burn victims want your blood. Go forth and donate!

You are the universal donor for plasma!
Lucky bastard.
You can donate one a week, too.
yay :)

Is it? I can donate plasma?

I thought I'm just a universal blood recipient. Darn.. better change my nick from "Greedy", to "Altruistic Plasma Donating Pig" now then. :(

Needles scare the heck out of me. I'm never donating!

I did. The part where they poke you in the finger hurts the most. The accual insterion of the IV doesnt hurt all that much. The rubbing of the iodine on the area really desensitises the area.

I would donate as much as possible, but I'm too young. :(

I can't Im to underweight and I barly make the weight limit.

You are the universal donor[ for plasma!
Lucky bastard.
You can donate once a week, too.
yay :)

Thats very interesting. Oxwana, do you have a link or anywhere I can read up more information on this?

Thats very interesting. Oxwana, do you have a link or anywhere I can read up more information on this?

http://www.sanquin.nl/Sanquin-eng/sqn_donor_eng.nsf/p-WebFSStart!OpenPage&h=0&body=17990B8D4C6ACDAFC1256EC1004DC6AB you can get paid between $20 to $25 each donation

Yeah I donate blood and i'm on the bone marrow donation register as well. I'm hoping to get into a medical place at Uni this year so it would be kind of hypocritical if I didnt donate. Havent been called up to donate bone marrow yet though. Cant say i'm complaining though

I had a very traumatic experience with blood donation. The lady found the artery, stuck the needle in, taped it down, didn't realize part of the tape was stuck to her jacket, and ripped the needle out as she walked away, leaving blood half-pouring half-squirting out of my arm. They finally used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, but by that time I'd gotten blood all over my clothes and wasn't feeling so good.

The whole thing was enough to keep me from EVER going back to give blood.

I don't think they would let me. :rolleyes:

I tried to give blood but was sent away. Apparently if you are straight and a total whore you are good enough to give blood, but if you are an HIV- sexually non-active male who has even once experimented with sex with another guy you are banned forever from giving blood. "What? You gave your friend a hand-job in highschool? Oh my, oh dear me no, we don't want your blood." "But, do you not test all the donated blood?" "Well, yes, we do, but it is just our policy not to accept blood from gay or bisexual men."

Alrighty then, I will keep my healthy blood. Don't phone me anymore crying about the blood shortage, I am no longer interested in your problems.

I don't think they would let me. :rolleyes:
*hugs*

I had a very traumatic experience with blood donation. The lady found the artery, stuck the needle in, taped it down, didn't realize part of the tape was stuck to her jacket, and ripped the needle out as she walked away, leaving blood half-pouring half-squirting out of my arm. They finally used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, but by that time I'd gotten blood all over my clothes and wasn't feeling so good.

The whole thing was enough to keep me from EVER going back to give blood.

well, i had a bad experience too but i still go back... i make sure i have a reliable doctor now, though. when the doctor was putting in the needle he hit a nerve and didn't realise it. i told him i felt strange but he said it was alright. after the donation i walked home and felt really weird. when i got home i sat down on a chair and blacked out. there was a pale yellow colour in my face and my lips were a weird blue. i was okay afterwards. it was the doctor's fault for not popping the vein up before putting in the needle. bloody irish doctors.

I tried to give blood but was sent away. Apparently if you are straight and a total whore you are good enough to give blood, but if you are an HIV- sexually non-active male who has even once experimented with sex with another guy you are banned forever from giving blood. "What? You gave your friend a hand-job in highschool? Oh my, oh dear me no, we don't want your blood." "But, do you not test all the donated blood?" "Well, yes, we do, but it is just our policy not to accept blood from gay or bisexual men."


I'm totally healthy. HIV-. Never had an STD. In fact my health is stellar and the best in my family (I'm always playing soccer and taking long, long walks). I have a relationship with a guy.. so obviously I've done stuff with him. Well I'll keep my blood... I guess they don't need my help since I'm O negative.

i'm a big weirdo as i'm type O- and also a haemeochromatote so i have astronomically high levels of iron (when i bleed onto the floor it goes "clink") that promotes blood production... so basically i have super-blood.

I did once, but nowadays you can't donate English blood in America. I still pop in every couple of years to see if they've changed that rule, though.

I've spent too much time in Europe since 1980... :(

I've spent too much time in Europe since 1980 to donate in America... I tried to donate on an American Air Base in Europe, and got denied even there! :( I keep checking back to see if the restriction has lifted. Donating blood is soo safe and simple (well, simple for most people) and can save multiple lives- get out there and donate if you can!

I'm totally healthy. HIV-. Never had an STD. In fact my health is stellar and the best in my family (I'm always playing soccer and taking long, long walks). I have a relationship with a guy.. so obviously I've done stuff with him. Well I'll keep my blood... I guess they don't need my help since I'm O negative.

Yup, same here. I would if they'd let me, but noooooo, I guess 'gay' blood is dirty, somehow. I wasn't aware that bisexuality was a transmissible condition. Heh. :p

I'm O pos and I give on a regular basis. I've fallen off a bit lately, as I haven't been feeling well when they've run the drives, but I plan on giving again soon.

I've also considered giving plasma, and I've even signed the cards saying I would do it, but never got a call.

I also plan on getting typed and put in the database for bone marrow donations. This is especially important in minority groups btw (which I'm not, but I know they are trying to encourage it)! Proportionally, there are fewer black donors in the registry than there should be, for instance. There are new studies looking into bone marrow transplants for people with severe cases of sickle cell anemia, which is more common in blacks than any other ethnic group.

I did. The part where they poke you in the finger hurts the most. The accual insterion of the IV doesnt hurt all that much. The rubbing of the iodine on the area really desensitises the area.

I have vessels that tend to roll, so it sometimes takes a while for them to find it. Thus, it does hurt a bit when I go, and sometimes I have bruising that lasts for a good while. I don't mind though.

Thats very interesting. Oxwana, do you have a link or anywhere I can read up more information on this?Canadian Blood Services (http://www.bloodservices.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/web/98D2A7D647A2C3F085256AAF006FE521?OpenDocument) Tons of awsome information, not just for canadians.
:)

I'm not old enough :)

I plan to, but I'll probably chicken out from them. I've had some really bad experiences involving blood withdrawls, including the nurse completely missing the vein.

Yup, same here. I would if they'd let me, but noooooo, I guess 'gay' blood is dirty, somehow. I wasn't aware that bisexuality was a transmissible condition. Heh. :p

Yeah, it's really idiotic. I know more than one perfectly healthy gay man who hasn't had any more unsafe sex than I have. Once upon a time, the majority of the gay community may have statistically engaged in more risky behavior, but I highly doubt that this is true now - and there is no reason to turn away perfectly good donors.

I do it when I can.Tad painful (my veins aren't the most visible) but it's not bad enough that I can't ignore it for the 5 minutes (or less) it takes for a pint my blood to make it's bid for freedom.

I am big (>200lb) and I don't miss the blood at all. I used to live near a clinic and donated blood components (cells, platelets, etc.) I was moved one day that I received a post card that was a copy of a child patient's artwork thanking whoever it was that saved his life. I do not feel comfortable with bloodmobiles, though.

i give every 3 months which is the minimum amount of tinme i have to wait till i can give again and i do it for a couple of reasons 1 so i can feel the needle go in im a sucker for pain and 2 so i can help people andd try and buy my way into heaven.

I use to. I am not able to now. I have been in the wrong place at the wrong time :( . The United States will not except your blood donation if you were around the area of any livestock epidemics. You could be a carrier and your blood could possibly infect someone who in turn could have an active case of the disease. Gosh I miss the orange juice and cookies afterwards ;)

I've never donated blood because, up until a year ago, I didn't weigh enough. I also bruise very easily, so I'd like to avoid that,lol

I would but:

1. I'm too young.
2. I haven't got a clue what type I am.
3. They'd look at my alabaster skin and decide I was anemic immediately.

I'm also on the organ donor register and I hope to be on the bone-marrow register but I know nothing about it.

My mother donates when she can (done so yesterday), and my father used to donate plasma (couldn't give blood due to malaria) but after a fuck-up, he isn't allowed to.

I have vessels that tend to roll, so it sometimes takes a while for them to find it. Thus, it does hurt a bit when I go, and sometimes I have bruising that lasts for a good while. I don't mind though.

Out of curiousity. After the needle is pulled out and they place the gauze to stop the flow of blood do they recommend that you bend your elbow? If so that increases the amount of bruising you will have. It is better to apply even pressure to the site with your arm straight for a minute or two.

I was gonna sign up to do it last year at college but i wasn't old enough, i'd do it now but i have no idea where to go or anything and i'm not sure if i'm old enough yet anyway

I was gonna sign up to do it last year at college but i wasn't old enough, i'd do it now but i have no idea where to go or anything and i'm not sure if i'm old enough yet anyway

I think the age is 18. Although I've heard that it can be done at 17 with parental consent.

I was gonna sign up to do it last year at college but i wasn't old enough, i'd do it now but i have no idea where to go or anything and i'm not sure if i'm old enough yet anyway
In the US, you only have to be 17 years old and weigh at least115 pounds.

yes i did give blood,once to my wounded comrade and second time for my friend who had a car accident,and i didnt want any money for that.blood donations should be volountary,and people more educated to be active donors.

i was going to raise a stink, but mesa and the rest of you beat me to it.

and it's not just blood, we can't donate anything! :mad:

I think the age is 18. Although I've heard that it can be done at 17 with parental consent.
yeah, i think you must be able to do it at 17 otherwise they wouldn't be asking people to do it at college, I'll have a look into it properly tomorrow

I did it for the first time a while back. I've still got the track marks, and I'm sooo proud of them. I just wanted to know how many NSers donate, and why y'all do (if you do).
Has anyone here donated plasma? Please share your experiences if you have, because I'm seriously thinking about it. You can donate more often, and you're not giving up any iron (as a vegan, I try to hold on to what iron I do have).
I serve on the business advisory board of the local blood bank. I am A negative. (But my friends keep telling me to B positive ar-ar) If you can spare the time, consider apheresis, it takes about 90 minutes, but is roughly five times more useful than regular blood donation - and you can do it more often. (every three days rather than every six weeks)

If you are worried about iron eat more watermelon; especially the day before you give.

Thanks for giving.

I'm too underweight.

I never have its against my Culture.

yes i did give blood,once to my wounded comrade and second time for my friend who had a car accident,and i didnt want any money for that.blood donations should be volountary,and people more educated to be active donors.
in the states only donated blood may be used - the only exception is for research where the blood is not put into people - in which case they may pay donors.

I never have its against my Culture.

how so?

how so?
My people believe ones Blood is sacred and if you give it away you lose Mana.

I would donate, seeing as I'm O-, but there's that whole 'gay men can't donate if they've had sex in like... ten years' thing. And I'm only nineteen. And even if it would save someone's life, I'm not going to be celibate. If they refuse to accept the blood test results from Ph.Ds, then that's not my problem.

My people believe ones Blood is sacred and if you give it away you lose Mana.

Interesting what you learn on nationstates :)

I'm totally healthy. HIV-. Never had an STD. In fact my health is stellar and the best in my family (I'm always playing soccer and taking long, long walks). I have a relationship with a guy.. so obviously I've done stuff with him. Well I'll keep my blood... I guess they don't need my help since I'm O negative.I know, eh?
Fascists.
They wouldn't let me donate because I got an STD test in May. I had to wait till last month. :(
Apparently, if you are responsible and get tested every six months, you are more likely to have an STI or HIV and not know it. :confused: The rules are stupid, sometimes.

Interesting what you learn on nationstates :)
It just depends on what you believe.

I dont want someone else inside me either.

I serve on the business advisory board of the local blood bank. I am A negative. (But my friends keep telling me to B positive ar-ar) If you can spare the time, consider apheresis, it takes about 90 minutes, but is roughly five times more useful than regular blood donation - and you can do it more often. (every three days rather than every six weeks).How is that different from regular plasma donation (recovered plasma)? I am going to start donating plasma, as of the beginning of September (yay!). My iron levels are always high for a vegan (in the healthy range), but I'm afraid of anemia after a brief bout with it this Spring while I was in Spain. I'm just not uber-eager to give it away, is all. That is partially why plasma donation is so appealing.

I would donate, seeing as I'm O-, but there's that whole 'gay men can't donate if they've had sex in like... ten years' thing. And I'm only nineteen. And even if it would save someone's life, I'm not going to be celibate. If they refuse to accept the blood test results from Ph.Ds, then that's not my problem.Contact Canadian Blood Services (www.canadianbloodservices.ca) and complain. Voices like yours need to be heard.

I donate my bodily fluids on a regular basis. :)

I donate my bodily fluids on a regular basis. :)I think I'm running low... Maybe you could top me up? ;)

You get paid for giving blood? That explains the NS issue... The restrictions on donations from sexually active homosexuals are pretty stupid; they still seem to be operating on the assumption that HIV is a 'gay' disease. Idiots.

Greedy Pig, my grandfather is AB-, which is the UK's rarest blood type. He very rarely gets asked to give, but when he is asked it's an absolute emergency.

I'm a registered bone marrow donor, though I've never been asked to give. Apparently it's excruciatingly painful and you have to take a month off work. I'm kinda hoping I never have cause to regret signing up!

I have donated a few times, not recently tho. B+

Yes, because it's good for me; also, I have type O negative blood and can get paid for my donation if there's a shortage because it's the universal donor.

I've got 0 neg, too, but here in Germany they don't pay for it anymore, because when they did, too many fixers and others who desperately needed money donated bad blood. (That's at least what I heard.)

I think I'm running low... Maybe you could top me up? ;)
Oxwana, you're kinky.

I think I'm running low... Maybe you could top me up? ;)
ROFLMFAO!!!! Gladly! :D

Oxwana, you're kinky.
I KNOW! Ain't she great! :D

Oxwana, you're kinky.I am.
>best "Joey" voice< How you doin'?

I KNOW! Ain't she great! :Dwow
Almost silmultaneous posts... That's hot.
>best "Joey" voice< How you doin'?

i would.... but since i'm in one of those notional 'high risk' groups, i'm banned. :(

wow
Almost silmultaneous posts... That's hot.
>best "Joey" voice< How you doin'?
Simultaneous ... now THAT's hot! :D

How is that different from regular plasma donation (recovered plasma)? I am going to start donating plasma, as of the beginning of September (yay!). My iron levels are always high for a vegan (in the healthy range), but I'm afraid of anemia after a brief bout with it this Spring while I was in Spain. I'm just not uber-eager to give it away, is all. That is partially why plasma donation is so appealing.

Apheresis is usually about collecting platelets not liquid, plasma is the liquid.

The terms therapeutic apheresis, plasmapheresis, and plasma exchange are often used interchangeably, but when properly used denote different procedures. Apheresis is a general term describing removal of blood from a subject; a portion of the blood (platelets and sometimes white blood cells) is separated and retained while the rest is returned to the donor. Plasmapheresis, in which plasma is separated and manipulated in a variety of ways, is probably the most common type of apheresis procedure.

Re iron + anemia, watermelon is the miracle food for the iron deficient and has plenty more goodies to boot. Besides - how can I NOT talk about 'melons' around you?
http://www.cybermelon.com/nutritio.htm

I would but alas I'm too young.

Apheresis is usually about collecting platelets not liquid, plasma is the liquid.

The terms therapeutic apheresis, plasmapheresis, and plasma exchange are often used interchangeably, but when properly used denote different procedures. Apheresis is a general term describing removal of blood from a subject; a portion of the blood (platelets and sometimes white blood cells) is separated and retained while the rest is returned to the donor. Plasmapheresis, in which plasma is separated and manipulated in a variety of ways, is probably the most common type of apheresis procedure.Thanks for clearing that up for me. I was a wee bit confused. What is the blood product collected used for?

Re iron + anemia, watermelon is the miracle food for the iron deficient and has plenty more goodies to boot.Thanks for the info, but the website you sent me to says that watermelon has 4% of the RDA of iron. Am I missing something?

Besides - how can I NOT talk about 'melons' around you?
http://www.cybermelon.com/nutritio.htmI prefer honeydew. Holding a ripe melon reminds me of something... I just can't quite put my finger on it... ;)

I tried to give it but I was too scared. The lady said my blood pressure was too high. I told her I always feel more tense when I'm reclining...

I'm not giving them my blood. I'm highly paranoid, and I'm afraid they might sell it off to some scientist who will use it to create a clone.

Then I have a clone, which I definitely do not want.

Clonaphobia - an irrational fear of being cloned.

I tried to donate, but they don't accept faggot blood.

I'm not giving them my blood. I'm highly paranoid, and I'm afraid they might sell it off to some scientist who will use it to create a clone.

Then I have a clone, which I definitely do not want.

Clonaphobia - an irrational fear of being cloned.Just judging from what I have learned of your personality from this one post....
It's probably for the best that there aren't two of you. :p

I tried to donate, but they don't accept faggot blood.Well, that's a colourful way to put it.
Like I said to one of you faggot breathren earlier in the thread, complain to whoever is in charge of blood collection in your country. They wouln't let me donate right after I got STI testing. It's a stupid rule, and it should be changed. Complain.

I tried to donate, but they don't accept faggot blood.
LOL Tough break Chief.

I never have. I have always wanted too, but in Ireland you have to fill out a million forms and there is like over a 1 hour wait. I really dislike injections, and waiting would actaully make me faint. Its stupid I know as ppl die from not getting blood. I actually think that it should at certain low times be madatory for every one to give blood every one or 2 years.
As of two years ago my blood isn't of use to anyone, but when I get better and pick up my nerves hopefully I can give pints away

As often as I can. I'm universal O negative and am free of nasty diseases. Instead of whole blood, though, I donate plasma. In times of shortage and emergency our local Red Cross contacts me for a quick pint of whole blood.

My hubby is O negative, too, so we can donate to each other. I would like to use this opportunity to urge you all to store a couple pints of your own blood (they can freeze it) to be used in case you need transfusion. You can avoid all types of problems (shortage, mistyping, undetected disease) if you have your own blood available.

I've never donated blood and I don't particularly want to, cus it and go to the "NHS" and don't get me started on that!

Yes, i'm sure the thought of actually helping other people and possibly saving lives for no reward turns your stomach, eh? Fooking NHS - keeping those sub human working class people alive ;)

I wish I could donate blood but I have a hereditry kidney disease which although is not contagious in any way, means my blood isn't good enough to donate I was told. Same for my dad and brother. Still, my mum donates enough for the whole family - she has one of those medals that mark her out as someone who donates as much as possible :)

Well, there is almost never a place in my town to donate blood, and I can’t really get to the next town over since I haven’t gotten around to getting my drivers license.

But when I do I intend to give blood as often as possible [As well as any other fluids I can donate >>]