Have you donated blood ?

I donate sporadically - once or twice a year - when there is a blood donation truck in our neighborhood."In the United States, only thirty-seven percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, and less than ten percent of eligible donors choose to donate. Blood cannot be manufactured, and donation is the only method of providing blood that can be used in transfusions for patients in need. On average, someone in the United States will need a blood transfusion every two seconds, and a single donation could save the lives of up to three individuals."

So if you can, DONATE!!!

https://healthprep.com/living-healthy/donating-blood/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=376216039&utm_content=1141293740771268&utm_term=get+paid+to+donate+blood

Yes I donate on a regular basis. Seem to always get the attention of the lead nurse at the donation session, we are on quite good terms and have a laugh every session. The lead nurse is one of the reasons I go back, maybe one day she might actually take my blood rather than just chat with me.

I see it as something good to do without any real cost to me. Always after work, and literally a 5 minute drive from home.

I donated a couple of times 40 years ago. Now I don't think they would like me...I'm anaemic, diabetic,and have high blood pressure. The meds for all that as well as my heart murmur would probably disqualify me.

Donating blood is a good way to lower one's iron in the blood. Most might not realize it can build up thanks to all the iron added to cereals and other foods. I had no idea I had iron overload as doc's never thought to check my blood ferritin level till my liver began acting up...

Yes, I used to regularly. Then, when I became a competitive runner and triathlete, I got out of the habit as I felt that I needed all the red blood cells that I had to carry oxygen. Actually, this was probably incorrect, but i went with it anyway. I've always felt that donating whole blood was a healthy thing, since (this is my belief) it helps remove toxins, etc., and causes your body to create new "fresh" blood - not medical terms but you get the idea.

I recently contacted Red Cross to schedule a donation (the first in about 10 years), and instead I am getting screened for the Covid anti-body plasma donation. They said they needed that more.

@reddevil

Dr. Philip: Curious why you are donating every 4 months? I have O + not sure how that compares to your O-

I started donating at age 18, long while ago, and it was every 6 months back then. But at some point, probably in the late 90's they changed it to 4 months. Actually, the guidelines now in England from NHS Blood and Transplant, are every 12 weeks for men and every 16 weeks for women.

I remember in my early days they used to give you a packet of iron pills to take for the next 7 days, but that practice was stopped years ago...

As he said, O- is the universal donor, it can be given to anyone. O+ can't.

My youngest sister is O- which was my fathers blood type. My younger sister and mother are O+ like I am. O+ is the most common blood type (at least in the United States) so demand for it is high. While it cannot be given to anyone like O- can, it can be given to anyone who is Rh +. So if there is a lack of A+, B+ or AB+ blood, the patient can be given O+. This puts a heavy demand on it. Both for actual O+ recipients and those Rh + patients that cannot get their type.

I'm AB Negative. I've tried a few times in the past and was told my iron and hemoglobin levels were too low. Another time my temperature was too high. I was told it was probably because I was ovulating.

I haven't tried to donate in the last 20 yrs. I was recently told my ferritin levels were low on my recent lab work but my hemoglobin is normal. I have to try again, I know it's important.

I was a regular donor up until I got pregnant. After my pregnancy I developed “ rolling veins” meaning it became difficult to catch a vein. So was not able to donate anymore. I would love to donate again but due to cost cutting there is no longer a mobile collection van coming to our village and as I don't drive it is not practical. When they restart the local collection / blood drive I will again become a donor if my veins co operate

Regular for me. Type O- and was told something about it's being baby blood. Not sure of that meaning. Never sought out an explanation. My being on T therapy factors in also. Was told donating would decrease excess red blood cells. Out of curiosity, I just checked my donation amounts. 33 pints with intentions of many more.

I have the universal type (O-) … sadly I can't donate due to medical issues my veins are “too small” for the donation needle I've been told and too much meds that I take makes it impossible for me to donate.

To answer the question, no I have not. I don't even know how the procedure is done. I might have to go watch a YouTube video.

Never have and never will. Not into that kind of thing. No donating anything from my body at all. I don’t know my blood type either. Never had blood work done fortunately. And if I did I’d faint I can’t do blood. I’m totally fine with anyone that does though and thank them for it. My mom and sister have both donated and other family members and friends.

Made the 1 gallon level….have backed off now!

Yes to Red Cross twice. Actually to a blood bank twice also. At the blood bank I had to be there early where I gave a sample and had a penis exam for STDs inc. a smear. Came back later afternoon for donation and payment. Fretter

Its been awhile. My high school used to host blood drives a few times a year and I'd donate. Later in the Navy I'd donate anytime they set up so we could get Vampire Liberty. Many years later the factory I worked at would host them every few months and again I'd donate. Generally I hate needles so I won't make much of an effort for someone to stick me but if they came to me I'm down.

I've given blood 38 times, they like my blood as it is ‘O’ negative the universal type that can be safely given to most people in an emergency situation. I've also given platelets on several occasions at St Bartholomew's hospital in London, they are desperate for them at times and take them straight to the leukemia ward for immediate infusion into a patient…Donating platelets is a bit more involved than giving blood and can take over an hour or so.

Nope, disqualified for anemia

I was a regular donor until I was placed on Biologics for my arthritis.

The vamp mobile wagon came around about once a year and I gave regualary (annually??) at work. Haven't donated at all since I retired.

A thought, the blood you've donated could at this moment be in someone's penis, clit, or nipples. Really puts things in perspective.

Regular for me. Type O- and was told something about it's being baby blood. Not sure of that meaning. Never sought out an explanation.

I was curious about that and decided to google.

Babies needing transfusions as part of their medical care should only receive blood from donors who have not been exposed to CMV. CMV (Cytomegalovirus) is a flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at some point in their lives.

Type O negative blood donors who are also negative to CMV antibodies are uniquely qualified to save these tiny patients.

Yep, regular blood donor here

I did a few times. I stopped after passing out in public. 🤦‍♀️

I use to work in the hospital. We had a very sick patient on the floor. And for some reason the doctor ordered this patient to receive a pint of blood every 3 hrs or what ever the directions were. I do not remember the specifics. The RN in charge of this patient knew it was getting to the time to give the blood to the patient. Long story short. The blood was not on the floor when it should have been. So she asked me to run down to the blood bank and get the blood. I got there and they did not have the order. Finally I got the blood and gave it to the RN and the patient got the blood they needed. Well i can say the process of making sure blood was on the floor and on time was changed the next morning so this never happened again.

If you are healthy, and you can donate blood, it is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a fellow human being. You have no idea just how important blood is to those that need it. IT REALLY DOES SAVE LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I implore anyone who can give blood to do it as soon as you can.

Not able to- was prescribed growth hormones as a kid

I just donated blood on Tuesday, my third donation this year.

Great to be back to it as many blood drives were cancelled during Covid-19.

Shy🅾️🩸❤️

More times than I can count, going back to college, 30+ years ago.

I was once a regular donor of blood, platelets and plasma. I donated as often as allowed for over 10 years. Then unbeknownst to me I had cadaver bone implanted during a surgery. The orthopedic doctor said it was sterilized by a couple different methods and would not prevent me from donating. Well the hospital I donated at has protocols and will not allow me donate as they can not now use my blood. I even called during the covid-19 outbreak when donors were badly needed and was declined.