How Often Do You Donate Blood?

[THUNDER HANDS]

I just gave this afternoon, exactly 57 days after my last donation. And I can't be happier.

Save lives, give blood!

:loveya:

[Dookus]

1. Never....

I'm a gay man. They won't take my blood, despite the fact that I've conscientiously gotten regular HIV tests and remain negative.

I will never support the Red Cross in any endeavor until they change this ridiculous policy.

[Bossy Monkey]

2. Another permanent deferral, for doing a Junior Year Abroad in Britain

in '82-'83. Gave frequently, back when they'd let me

[Skittles]

8. isn't that a lot of nonsense?

I've been to England a lot and they question me more about that than about sex or needles.

I donate every time I'm eligible. If I didn't, I'd get the phone call screaming for O negative. :)

[tkulesa]

11. Me too.

I gave blood 13 times, starting the day I was old enough. Then they said they never wanted my blood ever again.

It's even more galling when you consider how much unsafe sleeping around straight people can do, and the RC will beg for their blood.

Fine. They don't want my blood, then they don't want my financial donations either. I don't support discrimination.

[thom1102]

3. I used to donate all the time...

until they told me I couldn't donate anymore... I had Hepatitis B like 12 years ago, so I can't donate anymore.

[xJlM]

15. I did once

After Sept. 11, and that's how I found out I had hepatitis C. I'm currently going through treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin, and so far there is no trace of the HVC returning yet. But they will never take my blood again. I guess that's all right, so long as the treatment works.

[GumboYaYa]

4. I donate platelettes (sp?)

once a month. It takes about 2-3 hrs b/c the filter the platelettes out and put the Red blood cells back into you. You can do it once every three days, but I don't have the time for that committment.

[HERVEPA]

10. I also do platelets

Once every 2 months. Just mildly uncomforable, but makes me feel good doing it.
I wish the Red Cross (Elizabeth Dole. Ugh!). was not the collection agency, but there's no other choice.

[Aristus]

5. I'm still on deferral for being a Gulf War veteran.

I got back from the Gulf twelve years ago, and gave blood twice a year until last year. They said I might have tainted blood or something.

[RobertSeattle]

18. I haven't heard that - and I give blood every 8 weeks

Gulf War isn't part of the questionaire anymore.

[Aristus]

21. Great! Thanks, Robert.

I'll try to give blood as soon as possible now. I've missed it. When I tried to give just after September 11th, they turned me down. I felt like I'd let down my country.

[Wickerman]

6. I try to donate regularly

ever since once in college when I went in to donate for baby and they couldn't take my blood because I couldn't remember when I had last eaten. The nurse said, get some help, son. I think that should be repaid so I donate as regularly as I can.

[goobergunch]

7. Never

underage

[leftist_rebel1569]

40. same with me

n/t

[LeftCoast]

9. Never - Not allowed

Wouldn't want my homo-blood to taint the rest, I suppose.

:mad:

[ronnykmarshall]

25. Same here

They won't take my blood either. I'm HIV negative and they still won't take my blood.

[jonnyblitz]

50. yup...me too. not allowed for the same reason. n/t

[spotbird]

12. Donated blood saved my life.

Thanks to all of you another Democrat lives! Unfortuenatly it was before there was perfect testing for hepatitis and since I caught it I can’t donate again.

Before the transfusion I was a regular donor, but there is no way I donated as much as I received.

Thank you all.

[SiobhanClancy]

13. I donate quite a bit

they always seem to need AB-

[Career Prole]

I donated once and got a letter that they threw it out

because of a hepatitis b titer...I guess it's possible, although I was never diagnosed with it. Could a vaccine do that to you?

[ButterflyBlood]

30. could be a false test

rare, but can happen

[comsymp]

48. Yes

That's how you determine whether the vaccination series is "successful"- you seroconvert, meaning that you body produces antibodies to the HB with which you're inoculated. Hep tests are actually for antibodies, as opposed to the virus itself, just like routine HIV screening.

[RobertSeattle]

14. 4 Gallons since 1996

If you've had Surgery in Seattle and your body could use O-positive then you've got a little me in you...

I'm an every 55 day'er.

[FlashHarry]

16. I can't, because I lived in Africa.

It doesn't matter to these maroons that I last set foot in Nigeria in 1974... that's their policy and they're stickin' to it.

[ButterflyBlood]

29. the plasma place I go to only starts their policy after 1977

not quite as illogical I suppose.

[AlabamaDem]

17. Gays can't give blood? What the hell?

I admit my ignorance to this... I can't believe they won't let perfectly healthy individuals give blood. What is wrong with these people?

[goobergunch]

19. Homophobic bigotry, nothing more, nothing less. (n/t)

[ButterflyBlood]

26. supposedly it's AIDS risk

but since that can be easily sidestepped with a little testing, it's pretty ridiculous. The worst thing about the Red Cross is they actually exclude lesbians as well, who have a lower risk of AIDS than heterosexuals of either sex. I'm disgusted by my center's policy (although at least they allow lesbians) but since I need the money and it is helping people in the end I do it.

[maveric]

20. I have Hepatitus C so I cant donate.

How about a poll choice for "I cant donate due to a medical condition"?

[4_Legs_Good]

22. I pass out when single vials are taken

I've done this for 15 years. I don't think it's the needle/fear, because it always happens *after* the blood is drawn (sometimes 10-30 minutes later). If I don't lay down, I break into a cold sweat, feel incredibly sick to my stomach, and eventually "white out".

...so I've never given blood. I feel bad about it too...

david

Kucinich 2004

[Kamika]

37. Ok.

the break down in cold sweat" etc, is because of sudden blood loss. Its basicly your blood preassure gone to hell (i had this naturally durin my teens everything would go white and i would almost pass out)

Now i didnt dare give blood either but i did anyway and its a WHOLE other process, its not like they come and pull it out of you in 10 seconds you sit there and let it flow out naturally while you sit. It wasnt bad at all.

Anyway try it

[MissMillie]

23. They don't like me anymore...

it takes too long. Apparently they can't leave you on the table for an unlimited amount of time, and my tiny veins don't pump the blood fast enough.

[TEXASYANKEE]

24. Every change I get.

It's one of the few things I do well. And the Blood Bank comes to my building, so it's very convenient.

[ButterflyBlood]

27. never, because I give plasma instead

Twice a week. I make $50 a week from it.

[Nevernose]

28. 1st Time Warning

In high school we donated blood during our last class (not for any altruistic reasons, just to get the hell out of AP Chemistry!)...the last thing the nurse said to us was:

"Now don't drink or take any drugs, at all really, but especially not for the next 24 hours or so. You've got less blood in you now, so drugs and alcohol will be more potent than normal and so they'll be more dangerous, too."

Folks, that is the WRONG THING to say to a group of teenaged boys. We raced to see who could get to the parking lot first, killed a warm twelve pack from the trunk of my car, smoked a joint while driving home, and spent the rest of the afternoon taking bong hits filtered with oozo before chugging the oozo.

I've donated blood once or twice a year ever since (though I've since quit drinking and smoking pot).

[populistmom]

31. Used to donate regularly

Then spent so many years pregnant or nursing that I got out of the habit (you're not suppose to then). Now that I have my body back completely and totally for my own enjoyment again and am rejoicing :party: in that fact, perhaps it's a good time to do it again.

[Rhiannon12866]

32. Since I was old enough I used to give everytime I could.

I received my gallon pin!:D

Then I just became too anemic and they ``deferred'' me, as they put it, plus it would have been dangerous for me. I think the last time I gave, my mother was doing the tests and squeaked me through. I had surgery two years ago, however, and am much better now. I should get tested, now, to see if I can start giving again. Thanks for the reminder!:-)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

33. I wish I could, but

due to an arthritis medication I take every 8 weeks via IV drip (Remicade) I cannot donate. The drug changes my blood chemistry and renders it useless for donation.

[Piperay]

34. Never

I have a phobia. :scared: :scared: :scared:

[REP]

35. They Don't Want MIne

I take too many prescriptions, am too prone to anemia and have had cancer. I'm B- anyway, which is not terribly useful.

[maxanne]

36. I can't

I'm a hepatitis carrier, though I've never had it myself.

I was not aware of the homophobic policies of the Red Cross, so thanks for the education everyone. I think a brisk round of letters is in order.

[cmd]

38. I've tried many times

They just keep rejecting me.

[Rhiannon12866]

39. But why?

If you are anemic, as I was, you really need to do something about it. I would check with your doctor. It's a simple blood test that I have had dozens of times. It takes 30 seconds. If you are anemic, you might need to take iron supplements and eat foods rich in iron. But you need to find out first. If that's what it is, you would not believe how much better you will feel if you bring your blood count up to where it should be. Please believe me!:-)

[Piltdown13]

41. Donated once, then spent semester in London...

indefinite, possibly permanent, deferral. What's frustrating is that if my semester abroad had been a year later, no problem -- the ban only covers those who spent lots of time in Britain between 1980 and 1996 (last time I checked, anyhow...may have changed since then).

Of course, these days I'd be on temporary -- six months? 12? -- deferrals after each trip to Africa due to possible malaria infection.

[FloridaJudy]

42. Snicker <];)

I donate as often as I can!

There is *nothing* altruistic about this! The advantages way outway the pain:

1) I get free juice and cookies!

2) The blood bank usually gives me a free T-Shirt.

3) They test me for AIDS and Hepatatis for free.

4) Giving blood regularly is actually GOOD for your health; it reduces the iron load and clotting factors in your blood (most of us Americans have far too many of those).

5) I get a few hours off of work! ("Ohhh! I feel dizzy! I just gave blood...")

6) I feel virtuous.

[Nikia]

43. Maybe, I'll be able to someday

For the first time, I was able to have blood taken without passing out or feel that I was going to. I was able to leave the doctor's office without laying down for a while or feeling sick afterwards. Perhaps, this is because I had blood taken several times during that month that I was sick that I got used to it. Maybe, I'll be brave and try to donate blood. Still I am nervous. I have little veins. Some nurses cannot even find them. I had two nurses that I have encountered been able to stick a needle in my arm correctly the first time without severe bruising. I know it is selfish for me not to donate, but I am a difficult patient when it comes to having blood taken and I don't know if I can trust them not to rip open my veins and leave half my arm in a gigantic bruise (Bad experience two years ago that still disturbs me).

[corarose]

44. I would love to give blood but Doctors have trouble finding my veins

When I get blood tests done they take the blood from my hands or feet. I was in an accident one time and they cut my neck open and pulled a vein out.
I was out so I didn't know they did that or else I would have passed out.
When I had surgery my veins shut down so many times the hospital was going to open up my neck again.

I would love to give blood if i had veins that didn't shut down and i wish they could be found easily.

When they put me in the hospital several weeks back they had to use my feet and hands.

[Twillig]

45. Clarke's picture is inverted horizontally.

Thought I'd mention that.


I haven't given blood lately because of the above stated gulf war I fear. We'll see from here on.

[Ellen Forradalom]

46. I don't play rugby

but thanks for asking

[Rhiannon12866]

47. Hi, forradalom!

I see you like Shirley Chisholm! One smart lady! My dad met her and was very impressed.:-)

[SmileyBoy]

49. I'm not allowed to give blood. Too many prescriptions.

Among them, I take a stimulant and a tranquilizer. Oh well...

[FDRrocks]

51. Once

Everytime they stick me, I pass out. Argh! I cannot take it.