NationStates Jolt Archive

Today I gave blood for the second time (and got a keyring with my blood group on it - woo!), and I was thinking as I lay there (and afterwards as I was stuffing my face with free tea and biscuits :)) - who on NSG also gives blood? How many times have you done so, how often do you do it, yadda yadda, etc?

And if you don't - why not?

Poll coming.

Ooh I do! I gave for the first time a few weeks ago. As for why...it might help to save a life, it feels good to do, and free juice and cookies, baby!

Ooh I do! I gave for the first time a few weeks ago. As for why...it might help to save a life, it feels good to do, and free juice and cookies, baby!

I gave blood and plasma since the age of 16 until last year,(i'm now 37) I had tyo stopp after developing anti e bodies in my blood:(

I'm too gay to give blood.


Seriously, they don't want it.

I can't, I've had a blood transfusion since 1980.

Pity; I would if I could.

i wanted to last year, but i had to wait to long and i didn't feel like it at the time.

Ooh I do! I gave for the first time a few weeks ago. As for why...it might help to save a life, it feels good to do, and free juice and cookies, baby!
Heh, yep. :p

But, seriously, the other two reasons are more important. It actually feels like I'm doing something good, unlike with everything else I do.

I can't, I've had a blood transfusion since 1980.

Pity; I would if I could.
I don't understand that one. Surely they could just test your blood to see if it's safe for you to donate? :confused:

I have in the past, but not lately. Haven't gotten around to it in a while.

I would, but I have to wait a long time because of my tatoo. That and they gave me a smug reply: "Why would you scar your body instead of helping someone?"

I donated to the tatoo artists paycheck, they gotta eat too.

I don't understand that one. Surely they could just test your blood to see if it's safe for you to donate? :confused:

Neither do I; obviously a blood test is too far to go in order to get another donor...

I would, but I have to wait a long time because of my tatoo. That and they gave me a smug reply: "Why would you scar your body instead of helping someone?"

I donated to the tatoo artists paycheck, they gotta eat too.

Shit I got tats also, if they said that to me, I would have said why do you make me wait for a year instead of letting me help someone?

Neither do I; obviously a blood test is too far to go in order to get another donor...
Considering they take a sample to be tested every time you give blood anyway, it does seem a little bit crazy. I think they test for HIV, Hep B & C, and some other stuff. I do read the forms, honest.

I never have. I've never been allowed to, either because of weight restrictions (when I was first eligible) or the places I've lived, or both.

I faint around needles, so I'd say thats me out.;)

Considering they take a sample to be tested every time you give blood anyway, it does seem a little bit crazy. I think they test for HIV, Hep B & C, and some other stuff. I do read the forms, honest.

I've a feeling vCJD is the reason they don't take people who've recieved blood, but I'm not sure.

I faint around needles, so I'd say thats me out.;)
Pfft. Wuss. :p

I faint around needles, so I'd say thats me out.;)

Wuss :p

I faint around needles, so I'd say thats me out.;)

Wuss.

Yeah, I think he gets the point :D

I can't, the state discriminates against me.

Yeah, I do. Though now I have to wait about 6 months since I was diagnosed with mono about a month ago. Its cleared up but I can still test positive for the virus for up to 2 years.

I don't even know what blood group I am. I plan to at some stage anyway, but i've had problems with anaemia in the past and i'm not sure if that's been cleared up.

That, and they probably wouldn't want mine on principle. ;)

I've a feeling vCJD is the reason they don't take people who've recieved blood, but I'm not sure.

Over here, people who lived in Britain over a certain timeframe can't give blood. :) :p (and i'm betting that's the reason - either that, or they're worried that being British is contagious somehow *shudder*)

Over here, people who lived in Britain over a certain timeframe can't give blood. :) :p (and i'm betting that's the reason - either that, or they're worried that being British is contagious somehow *shudder*)
I had a look on wiki after posting this thread, and apparently you can't give blood in the US if you lived in the UK for one period of three months or a combined period of six months (I think) between 1980 and 1996. 1996 being the year British beef was given the all clear. Which reminds me - does France still ban British beef?

The Red Cross loves me. I'm not only O-negative, but I have an additional factor on my donor card: I'm CMV-negative. I don't fully understand what that means, except that it has something to do with a certain antibody that 90% of adults in the US are positive for. My lack of this antibody, for some reason, makes my blood ideal to give to newborns. So my blood is nearly always put into a "pediatric pack", which has 4 quarter-pint bags instead of a single one-pint bag. Yeah, they found a way to sucker me in to giving often - I'm approaching my 5th gallon. :D

The Red Cross loves me. I'm not only O-negative, but I have an additional factor on my donor card: I'm CMV-negative. I don't fully understand what that means, except that it has something to do with a certain antibody that 90% of adults in the US are positive for. My lack of this antibody, for some reason, makes my blood ideal to give to newborns. So my blood is nearly always put into a "pediatric pack", which has 4 quarter-pint bags instead of a single one-pint bag. Yeah, they found a way to sucker me in to giving often - I'm approaching my 5th gallon. :D

Yeah me too, I think over here in the UK it was called, c1c1? Can;t remeber but it meant that my blood went straieg to the SCBU.

Usually every 3 or 4 months.

I´ve donated about 10 to 15 times.

I do it because people need it, and the cookies are tasty.

Yeah, they found a way to sucker me in to giving oftenD

how?

I do fairly regularly

how?

By giving the blood to babies. I'm a sucker for stuff like that. :p

I give blood.

I also sell my plasma when I'm down on cash.

By giving the blood to babies. I'm a sucker for stuff like that. :p

:)

No, for two good reasons:
I absolutely loathe needles (even drawing just a little blood for tests sucks), because I get a bruise 2 inches in diameter around the puncture (no matter who puts the needle in my arm) - but more importantly, I'm on various medications that other people probably wouldn't want in their bloodstream.

No, for two good reasons:
I absolutely loathe needles (even drawing just a little blood for tests sucks), because I get a bruise 2 inches in diameter around the puncture (no matter who puts the needle in my arm) - but more importantly, I'm on various medications that other people probably wouldn't want in their bloodstream.

It could be seen as a bonus. Free medication with every pint of blood you recieve.

No, I have blood type X. It isn't compatible for anyone else.

Whenever someone refuses to give blood, I secretly wonder if it's because they're gay.

I give blood because it makes me feel superior.

No, for two good reasons:
I absolutely loathe needles (even drawing just a little blood for tests sucks), because I get a bruise 2 inches in diameter around the puncture (no matter who puts the needle in my arm) - but more importantly, I'm on various medications that other people probably wouldn't want in their bloodstream.

"Medications". Right. :p

"Medications". Right. :p
Yes, asthma medication and antidepressants. If I had meant (illegal) drugs, I would've said so. ;)

Yes, asthma medication and antidepressants. If I had meant (illegal) drugs, I would've said so. ;)

I still say that counts as a bonus. You should charge money for your blood.

I still say that counts as a bonus. You should charge money for your blood.
I could - but it wouldn't change a single thing about the other reason...

I could - but it wouldn't change a single thing about the other reason...

It would if you were offered enough.;)

I can't because of a pre-existing medical condition.

I wasn't old enough the last time the blood drive was at my school, but I will donate if I can.

lol, funny this thread happened to be posted now. Just yesterday in my public relations class we were put into groups and given a sector to make a public relations campaign for. We got given community groups and have chosen the Red Cross, so we are going to make one to encourage young people to give blood.

Anyway, no I haven't. I would if directly given the chance, but it has never occoured to me to go out of my way to do this. I probably will though before the end of the semester.

lol, funny this thread happened to be posted now. Just yesterday in my public relations class we were put into groups and given a sector to make a public relations campaign for. We got given community groups and have chosen the Red Cross, so we are going to make one to encourage young people to give blood.

Anyway, no I haven't. I would if directly given the chance, but it has never occoured to me to go out of my way to do this. I probably will though before the end of the semester.

Yeah baby! I think eveybody that can should give blood, it don't really hurt, you will save lifes, and not enough people do it.

It would if you were offered enough.
But that's the thing - you don't make money by giving blood here. Plasma is a little different, but that really screws with the veins. :(

No, I'd rather have my blood stay where it is - with me! (And in me!) :p

Anyway, no I haven't. I would if directly given the chance, but it has never occoured to me to go out of my way to do this. I probably will though before the end of the semester.
Weirdly, I had the opportunity to give blood throughout my time at university, because the blood service came round 3 times a year and set up in the students' union, but I never bothered. Then one day last October, I suddenly thought "I want to give blood". So I called the centre in my city to find when the next session suitable for me was (and, amusingly, as I'd already graduated, it happened to be at the university), and went along then. Chances are if you live in or near a city there'll probably be a session within walking distance of you at some point.

I tried to give blood in February, but I didn't get a full pint out...almost blacked out/fainted in the chair. It may have had something to do with the savage hangover and lack of sleep I was dealing with at the time. I'll try again in a couple months.

But that's the thing - you don't make money by giving blood here. Plasma is a little different, but that really screws with the veins. :(

No, I'd rather have my blood stay where it is - with me! (And in me!) :p

It's actually a law in my state that you can't get paid for blood. It would be cool to start a side business. I have no problem bleeding for cash.

It's actually a law in my state that you can't get paid for blood. It would be cool to start a side business. I have no problem bleeding for cash.
You don't get paid here either. Though you do get paid for donating sperm. My girlfriend has expressly forbidden me from doing that, though, even to the extent of offering to pay me however much I'd get from doing it. :p

But that's the thing - you don't make money by giving blood here. Plasma is a little different, but that really screws with the veins. :(

No, I'd rather have my blood stay where it is - with me! (And in me!) :p

Eh? What's giving plasma like, and how does it mess with the veins?

You don't get paid here either. Though you do get paid for donating sperm. My girlfriend has expressly forbidden me from doing that, though, even to the extent of offering to pay me however much I'd get from doing it. :p

I've signed up to sell my eggs. It's not as easy for women as it is for men (although it pays handsomely). I have to wait to be selected, then I have to do this hormone stuff. The down side is there's only so many times I'm going to be willing to do it since women are born with a certain number of eggs. After my eggs are gone I start menopause.

Eh? What's giving plasma like, and how does it mess with the veins?

Being poked repeatedly with huge needles weakens your veins.

I would've done it just a week ago.

But I was ill. Turns out it was for the better they didn't - I've only gotten steadily worse >.<

I'm an O-negative, which means I get bugged to donate blood every three or four months. I try to do it twice a year, usually a double-red donation each time since they need my cells and not my plasma.

Weirdly, I had the opportunity to give blood throughout my time at university, because the blood service came round 3 times a year and set up in the students' union, but I never bothered. Then one day last October, I suddenly thought "I want to give blood". So I called the centre in my city to find when the next session suitable for me was (and, amusingly, as I'd already graduated, it happened to be at the university), and went along then. Chances are if you live in or near a city there'll probably be a session within walking distance of you at some point.

Quite true. I just checked before and they do it obviously at the hospital which is literally a five minute walk from where I live, so I am going to go next week. Hawkeye would hate me if I didn't. :(

You don't get paid here either. Though you do get paid for donating sperm. My girlfriend has expressly forbidden me from doing that, though, even to the extent of offering to pay me however much I'd get from doing it. :p
The only problem with donating sperm: When your stuff is used and you father children that way, you are legally their parent and have to pay alimony for your kids.
So, what might have given you a quick buck could cost you dearly later on!
Eh? What's giving plasma like, and how does it mess with the veins?
Being poked repeatedly with huge needles weakens your veins.
That, and the needles they use for plasma are bigger than your regular needle.

The way it works is: They take a certain amount of your blood, put it in a centrifuge to seperate the blood plasma from the blood cells, which are then reinjected into your body. *shudders*

I give blood fairly regularly, I have the O type blood that is handy for acidents & births etc as well. Only been doing it a couple of years, when a campaign went around due to the loss of donors because of the CJD time frame mentioned earlier in the thread.

Does anyone else find themselves in (silent) competition with other donors to see who can get the pint out quickest? I don't think willing the blood out works, but I do it every time anyway.

I always thought i would like to, but once i got old enough i got to uni and the doctor told "Oh no yoiu dont!"
Turns out you cant give blood if you have severe athsma and low blood pressure.
Anyway, i am terrified of needles anyway, i had a blood test taken and i sobbed profusely all through it. Also came out with a three inch long bruise that lasted for weeks.... Hurt like fudge.

The only problem with donating sperm: When your stuff is used and you father children that way, you are legally their parent and have to pay alimony for your kids.
So, what might have given you a quick buck could cost you dearly later on!
Hmmm...that's not how it works here. The donor has no legal responsibility at all for any child conceived and born using his sperm. The child does, however, have the right to find out about their biological father.

Do I have any rights or responsibilities towards a child created from my donation?

Not if you donate through an HFEA-licensed clinic, which must conform to strict medical, legal and ethical standards. This ensures that everyone involved in the donation process is clear about their legal position and is protected by the law.

You will have no legal obligation to any child created from your donation - you will not be their legal parent and you will not be named on the birth certificate. Neither do you have any rights over how the child will be brought up, and you will not be asked to support the child financially. You will be asked to provide information about yourself which a child born from your donation can access when they are 18 years old
http://www.ngdt.co.uk/rights-and-responsibilities/

Anyway, i am terrified of needles anyway, i had a blood test taken and i sobbed profusely all through it. Also came out with a three inch long bruise that lasted for weeks.... Hurt like fudge.
Good reason for that - if you're nervous around needles, you'll most likely tense up when the needle goes in, which then means it'll do more damage to you.

I will when I turn 18. Just went on the site and will probably do plasma donations too, if possible. And get a donor card - do you have to be 18 for that?

I don't give blood because I don't weigh enough. They have a weight requirement of 110 pounds...

I'm not old enough, but I doubt I ever would. I had trouble just getting a sample for tests. I'm not squeamish...it's just that it's my blood see...

I'm not old enough, but I doubt I ever would. I had trouble just getting a sample for tests. I'm not squeamish...it's just that it's my blood see...

No... No I don't see. Your blood will be replenished soon enough, and you said you are not squeamish. So why not?

Indeed I do. I usually give every 8 or 16 weeks, depending on whether or not my iron is high enough to give double red (you have to wait 16 weeks between those donations). I'm a bit late now because the last drive around here was a little before I was eligible to give again, but I'm making an appointment for next week.

The Red Cross loves me. I'm not only O-negative, but I have an additional factor on my donor card: I'm CMV-negative. I don't fully understand what that means, except that it has something to do with a certain antibody that 90% of adults in the US are positive for. My lack of this antibody, for some reason, makes my blood ideal to give to newborns. So my blood is nearly always put into a "pediatric pack", which has 4 quarter-pint bags instead of a single one-pint bag. Yeah, they found a way to sucker me in to giving often - I'm approaching my 5th gallon. :D

CMV is a virus known as cytomegalovirus. Most adults have been exposed to it, and if exposed as an adult or even an older child, it generally causes flu-like symptoms or none at all. However, if a newborn is exposed, it can be very dangerous. Also, if a pregnant woman is exposed to it for the first time while pregnant, it can cause defects in the developing fetus, resulting in some pretty awful birth defects. The virus, like most diseases, is also dangerous for recent transplant patients.

This is why CMV- blood is generally chosen for newborns, or for a transplant patient who is still CMV-. Basically, they don't want the blood to make the patient sicker.

Does anyone else find themselves in (silent) competition with other donors to see who can get the pint out quickest? I don't think willing the blood out works, but I do it every time anyway.
I haven't ever made a race out of it, but the first time I donated, the nurses kept pointing out how quickly I bled. I thought it was funny, but the other donors started to stare at me to see if I'd faint.

I actually had the chance to give blood yesterday, but I hate seeing, hearing, or being around everything that's medical or hospital related, and I don't like needles.

Second, I'm A+ and I don't like the idea of those AB guys with their, "We're rare so we need to take EVERYONE'S blood because our AB blood is superior to yours!" ;)

They don't want my blood. I tried to give it, but they kept turning me down (and changing the rules to do so), so I stopped trying.

When I was in high school there were always blood drives to get the students to donate. When I was 14 or 15, I tried to give blood only to fall short of their minimum weight requirement (110 lb). Finally, at age 17, in my final year, I passed the 110 lb threshold - and they raised the limit to 115. I again failed to qualify.

So I gave up.

Fag = pariah.

I'm sure we've had a thread like this before...

I tried to give blood once. I was refused.

In theory, if you've spent more than a certain number of months of your life in Britain, you're barred from ever donating blood. Being truthful, I said that I've spent a lot of time in Britain, but that the odds of my having caught mad cow disease while there were rather slim since I'm a vegetarian. They promptly said that they couldn't take blood from a vegetarian, due to it probably being lacking in iron.

Can't. I take Amoxicillin & Asthma medicine, so there's no blood donating for me.

I'm sure we've had a thread like this before...

I tried to give blood once. I was refused.

In theory, if you've spent more than a certain number of months of your life in Britain, you're barred from ever donating blood. Being truthful, I said that I've spent a lot of time in Britain, but that the odds of my having caught mad cow disease while there were rather slim since I'm a vegetarian. They promptly said that they couldn't take blood from a vegetarian, due to it probably being lacking in iron.
Yeah, you think they might be able to work out that, considering how many successful transfusions have been performed in Britain, using the blood of British people who were very much eating British beef during the BSE scare, there really isn't much danger of vCJD infection.

My girlfriend told me why you can't donate blood in Britain if you've had a transfusion here since 1980 - apparently it's because of the risk of your blood containing vCJD prions, which it is currently impossible to test for.

Yes, approx. every 90 days.

You needed a "No, because I'm gay/have a tattoo/might have mad cow." I am not allowed to give blood in the U.S. because I lived in Britain for a few years and now I might have mad cow disease as a result. I probably don't, but they aren't taking any chances. Similarly, if you admit to being gay you are not allowed to give blood, and if you have a tattoo you can't either. That doesn't apply to me but I just thought I'd put it out there.

Personally, I think it's pretty wrong that you can't give blood if they know you're gay. I watched a couple guys sort of demonstrating at the last blood drive I was at, and I hadn't even known until then that it was a restriction. What do you guys think?

Personally, I think it's pretty wrong that you can't give blood if they know you're gay. I watched a couple guys sort of demonstrating at the last blood drive I was at, and I hadn't even known until then that it was a restriction. What do you guys think?

Is it just paranoia over "teh AIDS"? Because that wouldn't make any sense, since the blood is tested anyway...yet pretty much every country has that same restriction.

Is it just paranoia over "teh AIDS"? Because that wouldn't make any sense, since the blood is tested anyway...yet pretty much every country has that same restriction.

I don't know! That's why it really doesn't make sense to me. Maybe people are afraid that being gay can be transmitted through bodily fluids...that would explain some people's odd behavior.

You needed a "No, because I'm gay/have a tattoo/might have mad cow." I am not allowed to give blood in the U.S. because I lived in Britain for a few years and now I might have mad cow disease as a result. I probably don't, but they aren't taking any chances. Similarly, if you admit to being gay you are not allowed to give blood, and if you have a tattoo you can't either. That doesn't apply to me but I just thought I'd put it out there.

Personally, I think it's pretty wrong that you can't give blood if they know you're gay. I watched a couple guys sort of demonstrating at the last blood drive I was at, and I hadn't even known until then that it was a restriction. What do you guys think?
That's what the no (other) option is for.

Seriously, if you have a tattoo you can't give blood at all? Here you can't if you've had a tattoo or piercing done in the previous six months.

Not sure about why they don't let gays donate, though it probably is, as Kanabia said, paranoia over AIDS. Which is just fucking stupid.

Eh? What's giving plasma like, and how does it mess with the veins?

Heh they strap you into this machine that extracts the whole blood, and then using a centefuge, seperates the plasma from the blood cells, and the puts the blood cells back whilst bagging up the plasma, it take aabout 45 mins or so.

I give blood fairly regularly, I have the O type blood that is handy for acidents & births etc as well. Only been doing it a couple of years, when a campaign went around due to the loss of donors because of the CJD time frame mentioned earlier in the thread.

Does anyone else find themselves in (silent) competition with other donors to see who can get the pint out quickest? I don't think willing the blood out works, but I do it every time anyway.

Heheh yeah that was always part of the fun.

Is it just paranoia over "teh AIDS"? Because that wouldn't make any sense, since the blood is tested anyway...yet pretty much every country has that same restriction.

Is it paronia though? Intravenous drug users are not alowed to give, and the reason is the same.

Yes they do test all blood donated, and yes they do test for HIV, but because of the nature of the work, I.E. sticking needles into people and drawng out blood, there is a very real danger of needle stick.

While it may seem biased, or paranioa of HIV, it is in reality a very sensible course of action, no?

You needed a "No, because I'm gay/have a tattoo/might have mad cow." I am not allowed to give blood in the U.S. because I lived in Britain for a few years and now I might have mad cow disease as a result. I probably don't, but they aren't taking any chances. Similarly, if you admit to being gay you are not allowed to give blood, and if you have a tattoo you can't either. That doesn't apply to me but I just thought I'd put it out there.

Having a tattoo doesn't bar you permanently if you had it done in a reputable place. It's a year, I believe.

Personally, I think it's pretty wrong that you can't give blood if they know you're gay. I watched a couple guys sort of demonstrating at the last blood drive I was at, and I hadn't even known until then that it was a restriction. What do you guys think?

LOL, you must not listen to all the questions they ask when you give then. "Are you a man who's had sex with another man since 1979?" *looks down at boobs* "Um.....no."

Personally, I don't think being gay should be an automatic denial. Anyone who engages in risky sexual behavior could possibly be a problem - not just those who are gay. There are plenty of questions they ask about such risky behaviors, so I see no reason that simply being gay should be an issue.


Is it just paranoia over "teh AIDS"? Because that wouldn't make any sense, since the blood is tested anyway...yet pretty much every country has that same restriction.

HIV doesn't necessarily show up in a blood test right away. This is why people are generally tested and then tested again 6 months later. It can take time to show up on a blood test, even if you are infected and able to infect others. For this reason (and probably a little bit because of the fact that the blood banks waited much later than they should have to start testing for HIV and ended up infecting many, many people), "high-risk" groups are screened out, even though the blood will be tested.

That said, I don't think homosexuals, as a whole, should be considered "high-risk." A gay man in a committed relationship - especially if he and his partner have been tested - is not engaging in any sexual activities riskier than those I engage in. Even a promiscuous gay man, as long as he uses protections, is not much (if at all) more likely to get HIV than a promiscuous straight person. It would seem to me that all they are doing is turning away potential donors on the basis of sexual orientation, when actual sexual practices should be the real question.


Heh they strap you into this machine that extracts the whole blood, and then using a centefuge, seperates the plasma from the blood cells, and the puts the blood cells back whilst bagging up the plasma, it take aabout 45 mins or so.

Sort of like giving double red, except then they take the cells and give you back the plasma with some saline. And they pump it back in at room temperature! I shiver uncontrollably each time.

Today I gave blood for the second time (and got a keyring with my blood group on it - woo!), and I was thinking as I lay there (and afterwards as I was stuffing my face with free tea and biscuits :)) - who on NSG also gives blood? How many times have you done so, how often do you do it, yadda yadda, etc?

And if you don't - why not?

Poll coming.
I'm not allowed to give blood, because I have a chronic anemic condition.

It sucks, too, because I would make a great candidate...I don't have a problem with needles, I am enthusiastic about blood/plasma and organ donation, and I work at a freaking medical center (so I am in a convenient location for regular donations).

My boyfriend gives blood all the time, and this is particularly awesome because he is a "universal donor" (type O- blood).

No. Because last time anyone mentioned it I don't think I was old enough, and I'd not thought about it until I saw this thread.

I looked it up last night, and safe to say I won't because I'm lazy. If they wanted to come here, and wouldn't ask any questions, then fine - plug me in. Needles etc. don't bother me.
But I can't be arsed to walk there and back (2.5 miles each way), driving back after losing a pint of blood might be daft (I'm not usually shaky, but I've never lost a pint of blood, so who knows?), I'd have to ask Mum questions (Have I ever had a blood transfusion? Did you when you were pregnant with me, or was that my sister? What is my blood type, anyway?) and then I'd have to answer questions from my mother and the blood people, which I don't like doing, because it's None Of Their Bloody Business, Thank You.

I am registered as an organ donor, though, because I don't care if my corpse is used as spare parts. Not that it matters; if I die soon enough that my parents have the final say I think they'd block it anyway.

It's mostly fear of AIDS I think, either that or just plain discrimination.

Is it paronia though? Intravenous drug users are not alowed to give, and the reason is the same.

Yes they do test all blood donated, and yes they do test for HIV, but because of the nature of the work, I.E. sticking needles into people and drawng out blood, there is a very real danger of needle stick.

While it may seem biased, or paranioa of HIV, it is in reality a very sensible course of action, no?


HIV doesn't necessarily show up in a blood test right away. This is why people are generally tested and then tested again 6 months later. It can take time to show up on a blood test, even if you are infected and able to infect others. For this reason (and probably a little bit because of the fact that the blood banks waited much later than they should have to start testing for HIV and ended up infecting many, many people), "high-risk" groups are screened out, even though the blood will be tested.

That said, I don't think homosexuals, as a whole, should be considered "high-risk." A gay man in a committed relationship - especially if he and his partner have been tested - is not engaging in any sexual activities riskier than those I engage in. Even a promiscuous gay man, as long as he uses protections, is not much (if at all) more likely to get HIV than a promiscuous straight person. It would seem to me that all they are doing is turning away potential donors on the basis of sexual orientation, when actual sexual practices should be the real question.

^ Which is my real objection here - Dempublicents' first point is fair enough, but labelling all homosexuals as high risk seems a bit far fetched - have people forgotten that heterosexuals can get and spread AIDS too?

^ Which is my real objection here - Dempublicents' first point is fair enough, but labelling all homosexuals as high risk seems a bit far fetched - have people forgotten that heterosexuals can get and spread AIDS too?

That sounds like evil librul propaganda sent to kill our God-fearing families, tbh.

That sounds like evil librul propaganda sent to kill our God-fearing families, tbh.

No, not all of them. Only ones that slip up and need blood transfusions. :)

No, not all of them. Only ones that slip up and need blood transfusions. :)

They are weak and deserve to die anyway!
Edit: Or stupid, of course.

Edit: Or stupid, of course.

I thought we covered that with the "god-fearing"? ;) *flees*

thankfully for me I am iron deficient. needles scare me. a lot.

I've given once, but I'd like to again. I was going to 2 weeks ago, but somehow the blood people had screwed up my account and given me a second donor number, so that just buggered up the whole booking system and I didn't go.

I also abhor the clear discrimination against gay men regarding blood donation.

It's mostly fear of AIDS I think, either that or just plain discrimination.It is plain discrimination.

The question used by the by the Blood Service in the UK is
Are you a man who has had oral or anal sex with another man (even if you used a condom)?You answer yes to that question and you barred from giving blood FOREVER. It could have been just been one man and just one time, but you're barred from giving blood. It could have been 20 years ago and you have had an HIV test 6 months ago that came back negetive... but you'd still be barred from giving blood.

It's an archaic law that has no place in today's society. Even that bastion of democracy and human rights that is Russia has lifted the ban on gay men donating blood.

I donate blood and I'm also an organ donor.

Like I've said before,I've encouraged other like-minded people to make sure their wishes are know to their significant others and the organ donor place on their license.

If you have good intentions to be a donor, but dont check that simple box, you're good intentions are wasted.

And if you don't - why not?So far, the only chances I've had were I felt strong enough to give blood, other things got in the way, or, in the case of the American Red Cross and when I was medicated, they didn't want it. On the times where I could have given blood, I was usually so down that literally draining some of my blood would not have been a good idea.

It is plain discrimination.

The question used by the by the Blood Service in the UK is
You answer yes to that question and you barred from giving blood FOREVER. It could have been just been one man and just one time, but you're barred from giving blood. It could have been 20 years ago and you have had an HIV test 6 months ago that came back negetive... but you'd still be barred from giving blood.

It's an archaic law that has no place in today's society. Even that bastion of democracy and human rights that is Russia has lifted the ban on gay men donating blood.Eh, simply living in most European countries (mainly the UK or Germany) for longer than six months makes you illegible for donating blood in the US.

Eh, simply living in most European countries (mainly the UK or Germany) for longer than six months makes you illegible for donating blood in the US.So I've been reading. It all seems stupid. Most donors end up being life long donors, so it seems worth the while investing just that extra bit of resources to keep records of donors over extended periods of time so that any delay in certain diseases being detected is nullified.

I've just remembered that I'd make a crappy blood donor anyway. I was getting blood tested to see if a rabies vaccine had worked. They had trouble getting the whole of required small vial (maybe 50mls) of blood from my veins. Apparently my body was very responsive to the blood loss and collapsed the vein to reduce blood flowing along that vein.

No, I have AIDS. But I want the free biscuits. ;)


***automatic blood typer***
............O+.............


I'm a universal donor! Gotta infect everyone with AIDS!


[/play]

Um, no. We have regular blood drives here, and would want to, but usually I can't due to hectic schedule. :(

So I've been reading. It all seems stupid. Most donors end up being life long donors, so it seems worth the while investing just that extra bit of resources to keep records of donors over extended periods of time so that any delay in certain diseases being detected is nullified.
It's not that stupid, since the disease they're looking out for is BSE, and there isn't that much known about delay or cause.

It's not that stupid, since the disease they're looking out for is BSE, and there isn't that much known about delay or cause.If similar behaviour was observed in an individual they would most likely be deemed to have OCD.

It is plain discrimination.

The question used by the by the Blood Service in the UK is
You answer yes to that question and you barred from giving blood FOREVER. It could have been just been one man and just one time, but you're barred from giving blood. It could have been 20 years ago and you have had an HIV test 6 months ago that came back negetive... but you'd still be barred from giving blood.

It's an archaic law that has no place in today's society. Even that bastion of democracy and human rights that is Russia has lifted the ban on gay men donating blood.

Could just lie I suppose, but fuck 'em. I hope I have some gloriously rare blood type.

I give blood twice a year, I see it as an investment. I give blood because i may need it back in a week.

But seriously it is good for everyone to give blood. I also like that in england they do not pay you to give it. Sort of little social jesture, which i think is nice.

Yes, i may give blood one day, but theres no incentive to in the UK, other than that you may save someone's life. Perhaps a cookie or two may help. But if you look at all faint afterwards here they just try to get you out of the van as quickly as possible:P

this was on the first page or so and i lookad at 4 or five pages before i decided to post. it may or may not have been said already =)

Considering they take a sample to be tested every time you give blood anyway, it does seem a little bit crazy. I think they test for HIV, Hep B & C, and some other stuff. I do read the forms, honest.

I belive the reason for that is that there are different types of tests. the most common and cheapest i belive only tests for the presence of antibodies in your blood not the acctual virus/disease itself. (ircc that is VERY expensive)

thus its possible for you to have a dormant form of any illness that hasnt yet opted your body to produce antibodies, wich might cause you to test negative when you have the disease.

While people that has recived transfusion have a higher then avarage risk of haveing dormant forms i dont fully understand why ppl that has had one never can give blood again. Guess they are just very carefull.

nope, I dont give blood. For one reason I have tats and get a new one at least once a year and every place I know of says you cant give if you got a tattoo less then a year from the date you want to give blood. Also, I would not give blood anyways cause I just dont care that much about others

I'm O-, healthy, have spent the last 3 1/2 years in a monogamous relationship wherein we practice safe sex even though my partner was a virgin when we became a couple. But, oh noes, I'm a boy and he's a boy, therefore they don't want my blood.

Universal donor to too-gay in .1 seconds (of guy-on-guy action).

I'm O-, healthy, have spent the last 3 1/2 years in a monogamous relationship wherein we practice safe sex even though my partner was a virgin when we became a couple. But, oh noes, I'm a boy and he's a boy, therefore they don't want my blood.

Universal donor to too-gay in .1 seconds (of guy-on-guy action).


That doesn't mean you were in a monogomous relationship. The reason they don't want gay blood is the same as why they don't want heroin addict's blood. People sticking things in themselves not as nature intended, plus you don't know where that thing has been.

It is plain discrimination.

The question used by the by the Blood Service in the UK is
You answer yes to that question and you barred from giving blood FOREVER. It could have been just been one man and just one time, but you're barred from giving blood. It could have been 20 years ago and you have had an HIV test 6 months ago that came back negetive... but you'd still be barred from giving blood.

It's an archaic law that has no place in today's society. Even that bastion of democracy and human rights that is Russia has lifted the ban on gay men donating blood.


Moreover, one incident of protected gay sex disqualifies you forever, but they don't ask about straight sex acts in and of themselves. So, one time, guy+guy with a condom = "ew, gay blood!" Yet, unprotected sex with 10,000 different opposite-sex partners (as long as they aren't hookers or drug users-- or rather, as long as you don't know that they are) = "roll up your sleeve, we luvs you!"

Moreover, one incident of protected gay sex disqualifies you forever, but they don't ask about straight sex acts in and of themselves. So, one time, guy+guy with a condom = "ew, gay blood!" Yet, unprotected sex with 10,000 different opposite-sex partners (as long as they aren't hookers or drug users-- or rather, as long as you don't know that they are) = "roll up your sleeve, we luvs you!"

Yeah but the idea of having a gay's blood inside you. I would rather have dog's blood. No offence.

That doesn't mean you were in a monogomous relationship. The reason they don't want gay blood is the same as why they don't want heroin addict's blood. People sticking things in themselves not as nature intended, plus you don't know where that thing has been.

I've had a blood test while in my current relationship, well after the last time I had sex with anyone else. Like I said, "healthy." Oh, but wait; get a blood test and you're also disqualified from donating, because even if you were a virgin going for a blood test to prove that you were HIV-, getting tested makes you suspect.

In other news, I've got a foot you can unnaturally stick up-- and subsequently break off in-- your ass.

I've had a blood test while in my current relationship, well after the last time I had sex with anyone else. Like I said, "healthy." Oh, but wait; get a blood test and you're also disqualified from donating, because even if you were a virgin going for a blood test to prove that you were HIV-, getting tested makes you suspect.

In other news, I've got a foot you can unnaturally stick up-- and subsequently break off in-- your ass.

But isn't homosexuality nature's way of eliminating you from the DNA pool. If nature decides tyhat the only sex you will enjoy will not continue your blood line then it is handing you your very own Darwin award. Therefore if you are gay is your blood not inferior? Also why would you go for a blood test to ensure you weren't HIV+ if a virgin? That infers intraveinous drug use of a questionable nature or other sources of infection that would eliminate you from poluting someone else's system.

i would if i could - but i cant... Im a Mad Cow...

But isn't homosexuality nature's way of eliminating you from the DNA pool. If nature decides tyhat the only sex you will enjoy will not continue your blood line then it is handing you your very own Darwin award. Therefore if you are gay is your blood not inferior? Also why would you go for a blood test to ensure you weren't HIV+ if a virgin? That infers intraveinous drug use of a questionable nature or other sources of infection that would eliminate you from poluting someone else's system.

No, homosexuality is a function of nature's diversity, whereby not everyone is the same. Just like, as a function of natural diversity, for instance, some of us can spell, and use a spell-checker to make *sure* we don't look like illiterate know-nothings, and some of you can't. And why would anyone anyone go for a blood test without a concrete reason to think they have what they're being tested for? It's for their own peace of mind, or so that they can *verify* that you're healthy, or because they're a hypochondriac and don't take their health for granted.

I hope you're thankful every day that Darwinism doesn't root out unintelligent bigots. And that's all the time I care to waste on you, because there's no point prolonging a discussion with an unintelligent bigot when there are perfectly good brick walls out there against which one could beat one's head with greater hope for a breakthrough.

No, homosexuality is a function of nature's diversity, whereby not everyone is the same. Just like, as a function of natural diversity, for instance, some of us can spell, and use a spell-checker to make *sure* we don't look like illiterate know-nothings, and some of you can't. And why would anyone anyone go for a blood test without a concrete reason to think they have what they're being tested for? It's for their own peace of mind, or so that they can *verify* that you're healthy, or because they're a hypochondriac and don't take their health for granted.

I hope you're thankful every day that Darwinism doesn't root out unintelligent bigots. And that's all the time I care to waste on you, because there's no point prolonging a discussion with an unintelligent bigot when there are perfectly good brick walls out there against which one could beat one's head with greater hope for a breakthrough.

Being able to spell and being able to breed are mutually exclusive. I am not an illiterate know-nothing and I can breed because I don't put my winky up another man's bottom. My blood line continues, I can give blood (although I don't as I am AB+ and can therefore receive blood from any other blood type - so f*ck the rest), whereas you shovel sh*t with an uphill paddle on the other bus and there is another dead limb on your family tree. Everyone's a winner.

I've given probably eight or ten times. I do so whenever the bloodmobile hits my university. I gave for the first time when I was 17, about eight years ago next month, when they came to my high school.

I doubt I'd be allowed to give blood, as I received some in the not-good-blood period. Even if I could give it, though, I'm far to squeamish to actually do it.

I doubt I'd be allowed to give blood, as I received some in the not-good-blood period. Even if I could give it, though, I'm far to squeamish to actually do it.

The BSE/CJD period?

The BSE/CJD period?

That's the one.

That's the one.

Those damned prions. :mad:

i would if i could - but i cant... Im a Mad Cow...Impossible, all mad cows think they are helicopters. Only the insane consider themselves 100% sane. Everyone else gets occasional doubts.

Moreover, one incident of protected gay sex disqualifies you forever, but they don't ask about straight sex acts in and of themselves. So, one time, guy+guy with a condom = "ew, gay blood!" Yet, unprotected sex with 10,000 different opposite-sex partners (as long as they aren't hookers or drug users-- or rather, as long as you don't know that they are) = "roll up your sleeve, we luvs you!"Oh, yes, I forgot about that part.

It could be that you were bi-curious for a while when you were young. You were experimenting. You gave or recieved oral sex, whilst wearing a condom. And suddenly the Blood Service thinks you're high risk.

It could be that you were bi-curious for a while when you were young. You were experimenting. You gave or recieved oral sex, whilst wearing a condom. And suddenly the Blood Service thinks you're high risk.

And, if I read the questions right, any women who've slept with such a bloke in the meantime can't give blood either. Huzzah for common sense!

And by "common sense" I mean paranoia.

And, if I read the questions right, any women who've slept with such a bloke in the meantime can't give blood either. Huzzah for common sense!

And by "common sense" I mean paranoia.Oh, yes, I didn't see that one. But they qualify that question by saying 'within a the last 12 months', which further adds weight to the fact the the previous question is simply discriminatory.

Impossible, all mad cows think they are helicopters. Only the insane consider themselves 100% sane. Everyone else gets occasional doubts.

speak for yourself... I have prehensile hoofs anyway i am sane - i never said i wasnt... just that i was a mad cow...

speak for yourself... I have prehensile hoofs anyway i am sane - i never said i wasnt... just that i was a mad cow...http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/248500 :p

Twice a year usually.

The Red Cross loves me. I'm not only O-negative, but I have an additional factor on my donor card: I'm CMV-negative. I don't fully understand what that means, except that it has something to do with a certain antibody that 90% of adults in the US are positive for. My lack of this antibody, for some reason, makes my blood ideal to give to newborns. So my blood is nearly always put into a "pediatric pack", which has 4 quarter-pint bags instead of a single one-pint bag. Yeah, they found a way to sucker me in to giving often - I'm approaching my 5th gallon. :D

Me Too. In Canada, it's called Code N, we haven't had a cytomegalia {sic}virus ,apparently a cold related virus,and because of that,our blood is more easily assimulated by newborns,premies mostly.
I too am up to my 100th donation,to think i first started giving blood because they gave me juice and cookies,way back when sometimes it was my only meal of the day.Kudos to The Canadian Blood Services.

I don't know! That's why it really doesn't make sense to me. Maybe people are afraid that being gay can be transmitted through bodily fluids...that would explain some people's odd behavior.

It's irrational but not universal. They have twice yearly drives where I work and I have no problems even though my orientation is fairly well known. Either knowing me stops the objections or perhaps they are only irrational about male homosexuals? If I ever catch them discriminating I'll be on them like hot asphalt on a road I assure you. It is of course an entirely spurious idea as I'm sure you know.


P.S. Here is a link some of you may find interesting..http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f97/projects97/Newman.html
It is about Genetic basis of homosexuality....

Today I gave blood for the second time (and got a keyring with my blood group on it - woo!), and I was thinking as I lay there (and afterwards as I was stuffing my face with free tea and biscuits :)) - who on NSG also gives blood? How many times have you done so, how often do you do it, yadda yadda, etc?

And if you don't - why not?

Poll coming.

As a needlephobe, I'm usually in the seat furthest away possible from the lab guys. I like the idea on principle...but when needles get involved, no way.

I've given blood two or three times. This reminds me that I should probably do it again soon.

I tried but I passed out. Too damn skinny to give blood.

Being able to spell and being able to breed are mutually exclusive. I am not an illiterate know-nothing and I can breed because I don't put my winky up another man's bottom. My blood line continues, I can give blood (although I don't as I am AB+ and can therefore receive blood from any other blood type - so f*ck the rest), whereas you shovel sh*t with an uphill paddle on the other bus and there is another dead limb on your family tree. Everyone's a winner.

hahahhahhaha thats a good one. damn my sides are splitting.

whilest your boody does indeed accept all the other blood types (just bothering about the O, A, B and AB types for now, dont think we need to go in too much detail) you and your body will be better off with the correct blood type then one of the others.

when in an emergency and blood is needed quickly before the patients type is known O is given. when the type is known and availeble the correct type is given, not because O is in short demand but because it is better for the patient.


So for your own good, because AB is kinda rare you should be giving blood. If you dont you're f*cking yourself, not the rest. ^^

I would, but I have to wait a long time because of my tatoo. That and they gave me a smug reply: "Why would you scar your body instead of helping someone?"

I donated to the tatoo artists paycheck, they gotta eat too.

Not too long -- just a year. I have a tattoo and continued to give after my year was up.

The student lifestyle doesn't agree with blood donation. I'm in a sort of would if I could situation.

I'm up to about 2.5 gallons now. I give about three times a year. Four if I'm really paying attention. I like the feeling new blood from my femurs gives me. Plus, I'm cleaning out a small percentage of the cholesterol in my veins when I donate, and even though that's probably complete horseshit, it makes me feel better.

I am not a fan of someone sticking a needle in my arm.