I donated blood today

[yoda313]

Hi,

We're under a blood emergency here in southeastern Michigan. They say there's only a few hours supply availble. I've always thought about donating but never really got around to it. So I decided to finally do it.

I went in and there were about five or six people ahead of me. It only took twenty or thirty minutes to get in the system and ready for the procedure. After a few more minutes I was next in line. I got in and was all set.

From there they got the setup ready and did the prick and hooked me up. I've taken allergy shots for years so needles weren't a concern to me. It wasn't really bad except toward the end. It must have been four or five minutes for it to fill up. But right towards the end I did start feeling a bit woozy. I wasn't sure if I was or not but I got that light headed feeling. You know when you've been sick for a few days and you finally do some strenous activiity that knocks you out???/ Well they set me aside and had me drink some water and wait a few minutes.

I cleared up right away it just felt strange. Oh and by the way my fingers did get a little numb but that cleared up soon as well. After that I waited another twenty minutes or a half hour until I felt more or less normal. That said I was there about an hour an half or so.

I feel good I finally did it.They say you can donate every two or three months. I don't know if I'll do it that regularly but maybe I'll shoot for twice a year at least. It feels good to know I'll help somebody out.

Kevin

[VideoTechMan]

Well good for you Kevin . I have never donated blood in my life, I get too nervous having needles poked into me.

VTM

[hudsonf]

It does feel good to donate. I use to donate until I got High blood pressure and they started turning me down. I'm surprised they didn't give you orange juice and donuts.

[yoda313]

Hi,

Oh yeah they did.

Kevin

[AlecWest]

I feel good I finally did it.They say you can donate every two or three months. I don't know if I'll do it that regularly but maybe I'll shoot for twice a year at least. It feels good to know I'll help somebody out.

Kevin

Good for you! I really wish I could give blood, too. But, I have cardiovascular insufficiency in both legs (not disabling ... yet) and my doctor said that giving blood might not be wise.

Curious ... are you type O-negative like me? That's the "generic" type a lot of people have. If you (or anyone else) has a "rare" blood type, though, here's a note of caution.

This the breakdown of blood type occurrence according to:

http://www.nybloodcenter.org/framesets/FS-2D1.htm

Of each 100 individuals, on the average (rh positive & negative):

45% are in Group O
40% are in Group A
10% are in Group B
5% are in Group AB

And, the group AB breakdown of that 5% is 4% AB positive and 1% AB negative. My sister (ahem) has AB negative blood and she learned a hard lesson. As soon as the Red Cross found out she had this blood, they asked her for a lot of personal info and (unknown to her) put this info into a national database. Everytime there was any reported "blood emergency" in the country, she got a phone call saying, "Time to donate blood again." She didn't mind that and gave when she could.

Then she got married. Her last name changed to "Mason" and she moved with him from Portland, Oregon to Santa Fe, New Mexico. And, she didn't mention this to the Red Cross. But somehow, using the personal info she gave them, the Red Cross tracked her down ... and (ulp) the phone number she and her hubby had in Santa Fe was "unlisted." My sister was livid ... demanding to know how they got her number, etc., etc. They would not tell her a thing. So, she told them she was changing her phone number and would refer future calls from them to her attorney claiming harassment. That stopped the calls ... and she hasn't donated blood since.

[lumis]

hmm. so if you were to kidnap a bunch of people with AB negative blood, milk them twice a week, and sell their blood, you'd be a pretty rich fellow? hmm..

[DereX888]

LOL@lumis

Well, I have *tried* to donate blood once, couple years ago, but they didn't want it (even though I have the rare type of blood) without me presenting full ID first! Heh, so I told them to take a hike and I just enjoyed watching my buddy being milked

@ AlecWest - I have always been affraid of such situation, exactly as you have described about your sister.
Imagine some very rich (or powerful) ******* with AB- is dying and he need a new heart, or lets say 'just' a kidney. You think he wouldn't have enough power/money to find perfect kidney donator among all the AB- blood donors registered with Red Cross, and help them to have some 'perfect' accident (where the brain is dead, while rest of the body is intact and ready for picking spare parts)?
Well, I rather don't help anyone than give out all of my personal information...


@yoda - God Bless You
Youre a great man, and it was very brave to do so (from my point of view)

[Lucifers_Ghost]

Good job Kevin!! Its about time :P

I have donated blood about two dozen times and everytime I feel like I have done something "good" for people who need it. I dont have the income to give to charity (well, in any denomination that would make even the slightest of differences). There is only so much opening doors for people, helping someone carry a bag, or whatever that you can do. giving blood is definately something worthwhile. And considering I am one of the rare who have B blood type, I give when I can.

LG

[yoda313]

Hi,

Thanks everyone

And if you haven't thought of donating give it some thought. We could use you

Kevin

[JeeDub]

Hey Guys,

Here in Canada the blood donating system has been completely overhauled and is very efficient and well-run. I just gave my 65th "pint" the other day. I have high blood pressure too, and am taking medication for it, but that isn't a problem at all. As long as you tell them up front, they know what you can and can't take in the way of medications (that would not allow you donate). I feel very good about helping keep other people alive that otherwise might not make it without blood. I also think everyone should try to donate if they are able, you never know when it might be you on the operating table . . .
Then again, I am in favour of the organ donation program too, help others where you can I guess, I won't be needing all my bits after I'm gone, right?

Kudos to all you who give, I salute you!

[smearbrick1]

You know, I've often thought about donating blood. But what if something happens like...

I'm driving home from the blood bank. I am happy with myself for donating the gift of life in a most unselfish manner. Just as I'm about to finish my dixie cup of orange juice (from concentrate; a free gift from the blood bank), some moron plows into the side of my car. It just so happens that said moron is into spear fishing and the spear attached to the roof of his SUV is thrown from the roof through the window of my car and pierces my left side (much like someone else who will remain nameless whose selfless sacrifice would equate to my giving blood). Now, I'm bleeding profusely, the paramedics come and assess me. They assume that I have a specific amount of time to live based on normal blood volume for a person of my size. Little do they know I'm a pint low, and as a result, hold off care because they figure I'm "safe". Ultimately, I bleed out.... I die.... my wife has to bury me... I miss season finale of "Rescue Me" and the season premiere of "CSI".

I think there are too many "what ifs" in life to just go around giving your blood away like it's some readily-renewable resource or something. Oh sure, I'll get it back, in about a month when my blood volume returns. How can I enjoy it though if I'm DEAD!!!

[shelbyGT]

I haven't donated in probably a couple of years. I should do it more often.

Although in college I would donate plasma for beer money quite often.

[DereX888]

Hey Guys,

Here in Canada the blood donating system has been completely overhauled and is very efficient and well-run.

How do you know for sure there won't be another problem in Canada with blood tainted with HIV or Hepatitis (as it happened before) or something else? Just because media don't say anything (as they cover it up before) it doesn't mean it is very efficient. As a matter of fact I have seen quite alot of small news here and there pointing to inefficiency of Canadian Red Croos when it comes to managing their blood reserves. Simply put - I think they waste quite alot of blood they are harvesting.
There used to be pdf document on redcross.org with info on hectolitres of blood donated in each (or most) of the countries. Its not there now (strange they've remove it, isnt it?) but I remember discussing it some 2-3 years ago, because it striked me back then that Canada had almost 4x more blood donated (per capita, proportionally to number of people living in this country) than USA, Germany and UK. Where did all this blood go? Canada should have had a surplus of blood, yet every once a while I still hear on the radio about blood shortage.

Anyway - blood donation is a very noble act.

My respect to all donators.

[Lucifers_Ghost]

Hey Guys,

Here in Canada the blood donating system has been completely overhauled and is very efficient and well-run.

How do you know for sure there won't be another problem in Canada with blood tainted with HIV or Hepatitis (as it happened before) or something else? Just because media don't say anything (as they cover it up before) it doesn't mean it is very efficient. As a matter of fact I have seen quite alot of small news here and there pointing to inefficiency of Canadian Red Croos when it comes to managing their blood reserves. Simply put - I think they waste quite alot of blood they are harvesting.
There used to be pdf document on redcross.org with info on hectolitres of blood donated in each (or most) of the countries. Its not there now (strange they've remove it, isnt it?) but I remember discussing it some 2-3 years ago, because it striked it back then that Canada had almost 4x more blood donated (when compared to number of people living in this country) than USA, Germany and UK. Where all this blood go? Canada should have surplus of blood, yet every once a while I still hear on the radio about blood shortage...

I can answer a few of these comments.

As for the blood shortage .. yes, they do "harvest" 4x more blood than most other countries. However, when they do get blood from donators, they are relying on their honesty about what has been in their system recently. Once they get the blood, extensive testing is done on it. Much of it is thrown out because people arent honest or just forget about stuff they have rencetly done that is still in their blood. Simple things such as taking antibiotics for whatever reason. You cant have taken any for 6 months prior to giving blood. If you forget, give blood, its tainted. They test for these things and throw out supplies that they cant use.

Which leads me to the next point. The whole Hepatitis scare. Given what I have written above, it is highly unlikely that this would happen again. Of course, anything is possible. Things slip through the cracks anywhere. But there is so much testing done on the blood now, MUCH moreso than before, that it is very unlikely.

As well, Canadian Blood Services isnt inefficient in running their blood reserves. They are inefficient at running the business side of their operation.

LG

[hudsonf]

I wish I could donate but my blood pressure runs around 140/90 with medication and they will not take it. As for being a organ donor read this. https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1334233#1334233 I was thinking of being a organ donor until I read that.

[AlecWest]

@ AlecWest - I have always been affraid of such situation, exactly as you have described about your sister. Imagine some very rich (or powerful) ******* with AB- is dying and he need a new heart, or lets say 'just' a kidney. You think he wouldn't have enough power/money to find perfect kidney donator among all the AB- blood donors registered with Red Cross, and help them to have some 'perfect' accident (where the brain is dead, while rest of the body is intact and ready for picking spare parts)?

Well ....

As for being a organ donor read this.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1334233#1334233

I was thinking of being a organ donor until I read that.

I was about to mention that very post ... though you have to scroll down in the post until you get to the "P.S." part.

EDIT:

BTW, that widow really put the screws to the ambulance company. Her big break came when she got Margie Boule, a well-known human interest columnist in The Oregonian newspaper to do a story on it. The bill she got was in the five figure range (no kidding). And, once the newspaper was published with her story in it, ALL the local talk-radio shows chimed in and kept up the pressure of public consternation until finally, after about a week, the ambulance company's PR person issued a statement saying they'd "eat" the charges ... but only in this widow's particular case. The policy still stands.

Before you become an organ donor, be sure to check your local and/or state laws to see "who" (specifically) is responsible for the charges of refrigerated transport and whether (or not) there are any expense caps. It may not affect you, personally, but it may leave a bill that could cripple your ability to give beneficiaries in your will the money you want them to have.

[DereX888]

The 'widow case' is very simple IMO. Whomever is receiving the 'spare parts' of her deceased husband's - those should pay the bills. If the law(s) itself don't indicate such simple, common-sense resolution to such simple problems then such law(s) are bad and should have been changed.
Call your Senators! (remember to attach some nice 'support' cheques to give it more 'weight' )

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

I have never donated blood....

I'm scared to death of those BIG needles....

[digitalguy1127]

And now for a opposing opinion:

You know, I've donated blood many times in the past. I've always tried to "work toward the common good" and "be part of the solution and not the problem" and all that. Somehow though, after all this time and effort I find the need for blood is still as great, there is no recompense for the costs of donating, and I'll still be "stuck" with the cost of a blood transfusion if/when I need one. The donation model is flawed - most people do not give/throw away valuables without some thought they might someday be benefited. According to one source, only about 5% of people eligible to donate do so. Since my blood donation is probably going to someone who didn't donate, I think I'll abstain from playing that game. You know: "The only winning move is not to play..." It's too bad you can't choose where your donation is used. It would change the game entirely if I knew my blood wasn't going to benefit some worthless freeloading creep.

So, I do not donate now unless I get a bit of whimsy, kind of like when I buy a lottery ticket or give a fiver to a homeless person. You know, when randon altruism/idiocy strikes!

[MackemX]

anyone seen the adverts in the UK?

http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/media.html