NationStates Jolt Archive

So having just given for the first time, although unfortunatly my vein collapsed so couldn't give too much, I'm interested to know who else does :fluffle: and those who don't, why not (i.e. underweight, underage, not eligible, not enough time etc.)

I think the worst bit though was the needle being taken out and now being unable to type properly but these are small sacrifices to make...

So having just given for the first time, although unfortunatly my vein collapsed so couldn't give too much, I'm interested to know who else does :fluffle: and those who don't, why not (i.e. underweight, underage, not eligible, not enough time etc.)

I think the worst bit though was the needle being taken out and now being unable to type properly but these are small sacrifices to make...

I donate once every six months or so. You get a free biscuit and some squash. Always nice.

I've never done it. Never felt a need to.

I must admit I don't like my blood being taken, but when I lay down when they do it I'm just fine.

I wouldn't be able to for medical reasons (I take blood pressure medication), though I would like to.

To tell the truth, I am kind of afraid to donate blood. I'm deathly afraid of needles! :eek:

Too young. That should change soon. However, I should learn my blood type first.

I donate every 56 days (minimum allowed time by Canadian Blood Services). I have donated over 40 times.

Some tips:

o Drink lots and lots of water that day. Makes the donation process faster.

o Be warm. Not so hard in the summer, but in the winter, wear a sweater or something that day. Your blood vessels rise to the surface when you're warm, so it makes finding a vein that much easier.

o Eat something before you go in. Makes you less likely to faint, if you're prone to that.

o Ladies, don't go to donate during your period - your hemoglobin count probably won't be high enough, and they'll make you wait 2 months before you can try again. And eat lots of dark leafy greens or take iron pills for a couple of days before if you find your count tends to be a little low by their standards.

Too young. That should change soon. However, I should learn my blood type first.

They will type it for you. At least in Canada.

Too young. That should change soon. However, I should learn my blood type first.
I've known that from the age of 10 :p

I would, except my blood isn't very clean.

Too young. That should change soon. However, I should learn my blood type first.
If you're in america they will tell you after you do it. If you do it with red cross you even get a nifty card.

Too young. That should change soon. However, I should learn my blood type first.

I don't know mine, either. :(

To tell the truth, I am kind of afraid to donate blood. I'm deathly afraid of needles! :eek:
I am terrified of needles. Yet I donate blood every time red cross comes around. It is worth it I think. But that is just me, if you can't overcome the fear, I totally understand.

They will type it for you. At least in Canada.

If you're in america they will tell you after you do it. If you do it with red cross you even get a nifty card.

I'm in Scotland. Do they do that there?

Too young. That should change soon. However, I should learn my blood type first.

If you are in England, you don't need to know, I still don't. I think they send it out when they tell you when your next appointments available are.

When you get older (I think you have to be 17) Search here (http://www.blood.co.uk)

I'm in Scotland. Do they do that there?
I don't know. If they have red cross (in theory an international orginization) probably.

Every 6 months, for the last 14 years, Im O neg so they always go for an extra portion from me and I drain easily,

for a real giggle, forget youv'e lost 2 pints and go out on a bender afterwards.

Every 6 months, for the last 14 years, Im O neg so they always go for an extra portion from me and I drain easily,

for a real giggle, forget youv'e lost 2 pints and go out on a bender afterwards.

Where do you live, and who draws your blood?

In Canada, they're not legally permitted to take more than 1 pint.

In UK, they normally take only a pint, but I've been known to give a couple of extra units <G>
The amount of haggis, Black pudding, and liver I eat I am not suprised by my sheer magnetism

Used to give as often as allowed. But then I broke. They collapsed my vein, and after that my iron has always been a few points too low - even with me doing everything they tell me to!

My husband can't give because more often than not he is anemic from his Crohn's disease.

I can give sometimes, when I am not on scripts for my Lupus. ;)

I would like to give blood. There's a clinic just a 3 minute walk away from my home, so its not a matter of convenience. I can't give blood because I take Lithium. I don't have a problem with needles when they take my blood for tests (something I have to endure often because of being on Lithium) and I doubt it would be all that much worse when they take larger amounts of blood for donation.

Kudos to those that can and do give blood.

I would give, but I keep failing.

I've gone to the last four drives, and been turned away due to me not having an appointment. When I want an appointment, they tell me I have to have donated before to get one, due to hoaxers. I can't win!

I'm in Scotland. Do they do that there?

Yeah, you even get a wee heart shaped badge with your type on it.

I've donated once before. Filled the bag in 2 minutes 30 seconds (I was racing with friends). They said they havent seen the hemo test react so fast in a long time (probably because I only ate steak and high iron foods that week). Unfortunatly, I cant donate right now because of my tattoo.

I've donated 2 gallons of B neg.

It would have been more... But I became a carrier of malaria after an adventure into the jungle a couple of years ago. They gave me a 2 year ban on giving blood.

:(