I just donated blood! Ask me anything.

[prolesunited]

:-)

[DelawareValleyDem]

1. What's your RH factor?

[prolesunited]

4. My blood type is O+

Just like 37% of the nation's White population

[calico1]

2. Do you feel light headed?

[prolesunited]

5. Not at all

I drink lots of water, and drank even more today. I make sure I ate breakfast (a bagel) and had soy crisps and a banana for lunch. I think if you eat and drink, you'll be fine.

[calico1]

8. I tend to have a low iron count.

Usually just borderline. The RC comes to my workplace several times a year and usually I pass one time then they reject me the next. And sometimes I do end up feeling dizzy for a while. I do drink a lot of water. Helps the bag get full fast if you are well hydrated.

[LisaLynne]

3. Did you get a cookie? nt

[prolesunited]

6. I selected

apple juice and a bag of pretzels.

[prolesunited]

7. Now for a PSA on blood donation

How much blood is donated each year?
According to the National Blood Data Resource Center, U.S. institutions collected more than 15 million units of whole blood and red cells in 2001, the most recent year for which data are available. Blood centers collected 93% of the donated units, while hospitals collected 7%. These donations were made by approximately eight million volunteer blood donors. The American Red Cross collects almost half of these donations across the U.S.

How much blood is needed each year?
According to the most recent data from the National Blood Data Resource Center, U.S. hospitals transfused nearly 14 million units of whole blood and red blood cells to 4.9 million patients in 2001 - that's an average of 38,000 units of blood needed on any given day. Whole blood can be separated into its components red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate. The total number of units of all of these components transfused in 2001 was 29 million. And the volume of blood transfused is increasing at the rate of 6% per year. In emergency conditions such as war or disaster, the need for blood may change.

What blood type is needed most?
All blood types are needed. Common blood types are needed because there are many patients with them. Less common blood types are needed because there are fewer donors to give them. However, people with O- blood are particularly in demand because they are the "universal donor." It means that people of all blood types can receive O- blood safely, so it is used during life-threatening emergencies or when the matching blood type is in short supply. AB types are universal recipients. This relationship is reversed for plasma products. AB type plasma can be transfused to all patients, while O- types are the universal plasma recipients. Therefore, all types are really needed!

http://www.givelife2.org/aboutblood/faq.asp


All in all, quite painless. Who else donates blood? Anybody personally benefit from donated blood or have a friend or family member who it helped?

[bratcatinok]

15. Thank you for the PSA

My (now) ex-husband has chronic lymphocitic leukemia. For the past several years it has been under control using various protocols.

The first year (1996) his leukemia presented itself was awful. Before they found a protocol that would help him he was getting blood transfusions every other day for months.

Thankfully, the company I worked for would sponsor blood drives and I'd round up friends and co-workers who would donate in his name.

You're right, it doesn't hurt at all! I barely met the weight requirement but even so, didn't feel anything after I gave.

[blondeatlast]

18. Recipient here--and well, I'm HERE! Thank you, donors, thank you! nt

[Lisa]

30. and if I may, another PSA on the bone marrow donor database ...

If you're planning on giving blood once a year anyway, this is an excellent initiative to find unrelated donors for people who desperately need a bone marrow transplant. You know how there are occasional news stories about some child with leukemia, and the only cure is to perform a bone marrow transplant? They usually search for compatible donors in the patient's family, but for various reasons a suitable match may not turn up. So agencies around the world have united to form an international database of people who would be willing to donate. You don't have to wait until there's another report of a desperate family, to offer to be tested as a potential donor. I am currently in the registry -- haven't been called yet, but it just involved giving blood that they used to determine my bone marrow type. And I get a birthday card from the national organization every year, besides.


http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/donor_information_idx.html



Canada:
http://www.bloodservices.ca



p.s. by the way, I would like to thank the anonymous person who signed an organ donor card and provided my uncle with a new heart. He lived happily for many years after, and at one time held the Alberta record for longest surviving heart transplant patient. And because the operation required several units of blood -- many more people also must be thanked, too. I have given 33 units over the past decade, but a single hospital emergency ward can easily use that much in one night.

[Lady Effingbroke]

9. Good for you!

:thumbsup:

on edit: Do you donate blood often? I donate as often as allowed,(every 3 months). O blood type is always in great demand, so it is wonderful of you to donate!

[prolesunited]

24. A couple of times a year

During last blood drive I wasn't feeling well, so I was glad I could participate this time. That's great that you do it so often.

[liontamer]

10. do you feel proud?

[prolesunited]

25. Happy that I could do something

that will make a difference in another person's life.

[pmbryant]

11. Good reminder.

I've donated blood many times in the past, but only tend to do so when there is a blood drive where I work. Haven't had one of those in a while, so I'm overdue.

EDIT: Forgot to ask a question. Was this a blood drive at your work? Or did you trek to a donation center to do this?

--Peter

[prolesunited]

26. At work

I have one of my assistants run them. We usually get about 20 pints each time. I don't think I would have the time otherwise.

:hi:

[sbj405]

12. Did you get 4 hours off from work?

Ever wonder why gov employees are such big donors? Depending on the office, it's good for 4 hours off. I worked in an office where the donation ever 8 weeks was a standing appointment. ;-)

[prolesunited]

27. Nope

But they didn't count the time against my break or lunch — like I actually take those anyway.

[MrScorpio]

13. Was there a caped, pasty looking guy in the corner holding an empty glass?

I hope Dick Cheney was nowhere to be seen

[prolesunited]

28. Nope

The whole crew was very nice and friendly.

[NamVetsWeeLass]

14. Yet another thing I can't do

I can't Donate Blood. History of Transfusions and nearly Critically Low Iron even now. I had to lie about how much I weighed the first time I donated, that hasn't been issue since then LOL.

[blondeatlast]

16. Will you accept my deepest gratitude, as I am a 3 time recipient?

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all who give from those of us who a)can't and b)need it!

I'm a rare one, too.

[miss_kitty]

17. Thanks I used to donate

I had to get a few pints back over the cancer treatment and surgery stuf.

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

19. What's the age and weight reqirement?

I'm turning 15 this November (ON ELECTION DAY!!!! that never gets old!) and I want to give blood. I've been waiting since I was 12 and they told me it was 15.

[Lady Effingbroke]

20. Age and weight requirements for donating blood

from http://www.aabb.org/All_About_Blood/Donating_Blood/donate.htm

<snip>

Is there an age limit for donating?

To be eligible to donate blood, a person must be in good health and generally must be at least 17 years of age (although some states permit younger people, with parental consent, to donate).

How often can blood be donated?

People in good health who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate a unit of blood as often as every eight weeks. Some states may further limit the number and/or frequency of donations in a 12-month period.

<snip>

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

21. Damn it!

another two years!!! :grr:

[blondeatlast]

23. In a crisis, with parental consent, you will be able to donate.

I do very much thank you for your willingness; as I have been a recipient 3 times.

[prolesunited]

22. Sorry about that

Thanks for fielding that question. I was between jobs and computers.

[Ilsa]

29. I got you beat...(not that it's a contest or anything)...

I've donated gallons over the years. Had to take time-out for pregnanies, etc.

I'm O-, which is the truly universal type, so I get called every eight weeks. Sometimes I have to ask them to call me back in two weeks because i need a little more time to get my rbc's and hgb up.

I am also CMV-, which means I am negative for antibodies to cytomegalovirus, which can be very important if the blood is going to a neonate. Last I heard, about half is positive for CMV, so my effective type occurence rate goes from 6.5% for O- to about 3%.

I'm due to give again in about ten days. I feel like it's the least I can do since I am blessed with good health.

If any DU'er ever needs blood, I hope we can organize a drive for their credit.

[prolesunited]

31. That's amazingly generous of you!

You certainly do have me beat. :-) I really just wanted to point out the importance of donating blood and perhaps encourage others to sign up.

I think it's great that we also had DUers post on this thread about how they have benefitted from blood donations.

Keep up the great work! Just think how many lives that you helped save.