I donated blood today, and now I need a nap.

[Lisa0825]

Anyone want to join me? In donating, not napping!;-)

Remember, donations are usually down in the summer, so please consider sticking your arm out. It only hurts for a second!

:patriot:

[KitchenWitch]

1. wish I could

I had a type of cancer 18 years ago that precludes me from donating.

[Lisa0825]

2. Well, you could make up for it by giving this a kick when it falls.

Maybe you'll get someone to donate in your place:-)

:hi:

[KitchenWitch]

3. More than happy to kick it!

:kick:

I have a blood type that the bloodbanks always seem to be looking for too! :(

[Not Me]

6. I wish I could...

but I am gay.

[Lisa0825]

8. Well, thank you for kicking it, anyway!:-)

:hi:

[Mutley]

27. They don't let gay people donate blood?

Thats rediculous.

[TimeChaser]

4. Kicking and recommending

... since I can't donate myself. I've tried a few times, but I get sick afterwords. I ended up in the hospital the last time I tried.

[Lisa0825]

5. Thanks for the nomination!

Lets get this on the greatest page so more people will see it!
:loveya:

[joneschick]

7. I'm eligible again on 7/6

and I'm a short list of platelet donors for my blood type and I now have my daughter donating and my husband. It was one of the first things my daughter wanted to do when she turned 17.

[Lisa0825]

11. I am getting back in the routine.

I used to donate on a schedule. But then I got a couple tattoes and a piercing, and did some travelling, so I couldn't donate for a while. But I am going to make an effort to keep doing it regularly now.

That's excellent about your daughter! You've taught her well! :yourock:

[Heddi]

9. Hooray! My husband works for the Red Cross

and asks allll of those personal questions you have to answer before you can donate blood. Next month, he'll be getting training to be a phlebotomist (the person who actually sticks you with the needle & takes blood).

I donated for the 2nd time just recently, and can donate again on 6/29. I'm a student nurse (and he's a future nursing student) and my god is it CRITICAL to have adequate blood supplies of ALL kinds on hand.

The way I see it, the entire visit takes about 30-45 minutes. Hardly time that I would be warry to spare. It's a pint of vein juice that goes A LONG WAY. Each blood donation can potentially save the lives of 3 separate people.

Thankfully, I'm O Pos, the universal donor. I'm very much wanted to come in every 56 days (length of time between donations) and I'm more than happy to do so.

It's quick. It's relatively painless. And YOU are saving the life of someone who DESPERATELY needs your blood and blood products.

Did they give you a sticker?

[Lisa0825]

13. I am 0 negative, so they always need me too.

They gave me a "kiss me" sticker, and a sticker for my car window. This is a location I have not donated at before. To get people to get into a routine, they give away some excellent gifts for multiple donations! Next time, I will get a t-shirt, then a polo shirt, and then a REALLY nice backpack! Sure, it's good to do it without a reward, but I think it's cool to have nice gifts to get people to start looking at it as a routine to include in their schedules.

[Heddi]

15. They have some neat stuff

I know out here, we give away a pin for the first gallon, then for the 5th, 10th, 15th, etc.

After the 3rd gallon, you get a license plate holder.

Then you get T-shirts and mugs as well. I don't know if they have the backpack out here....

My husband says he gets alot of older people that come in that have donated every time they could for DECADES and DECADES.

I remember when I was little, they'd give you a sticker to put on your window for every gallon you donated. My great grandmother could barely SEE out of the back window of her car b/c she had donated so much. I think back then, though, you could donate more frequently than every 56 days. I'm amazed the woman had any fugging blood left when she died---I think she had donated something like 50 gallons or something over her lifetime! INSANE!!!

Way back a long time ago, the Red Cross used to pay people for donating blood and doing apheresis donations. But I think that they stopped because you can't pay people to do something voluntarily, if that makes sense. Altho I don't understand hwo the plasma donation places CAN pay people for plasma, but the RC can't pay people for blood...hmm...

[Patiod]

10. My S.O., donates, then sleeps the next day

He now only donates on Fridays (seriously!) I have given 2 gallons, but they threw me out for anemia the last 2 times.

Keep this kicked!

[Lisa0825]

14. I haven't been this tired after donating before. Must be getting old!

Or maybe it's because I was already overtired from a sleep-deprived weekend.

I got rejected once for low iron, so I made sure to have an iron-rich meal last night and a good breakfast today.

[bunkerbuster1]

16. huh. I always feel rejuvenated.

I have to remind myself that I shouldn't run or lift weights over my lunch hour, when I've given blood that morning.

Maybe it's just me.

[Lisa0825]

18. I've felt kind of giddy before, but this time I am sleepy!

Probably just because I played too hard all weekend!:-)

[Patiod]

19. Some research that seems to indicate that it's good for you

The researchers acknowledge that the sample bias is too hard to overcome (those who can give are healthier than those who can't), but it seems like there might be health benefits to giving regularly.

[Gelliebeans]

12. Thanks for your contribution

I really have to applaud people that donate blood, I have been the recipiant a couple of times and am truely thankful.

The red cross won't let me donate my own blood(because of my illness) but my family members donate often and it is a gift for those in need.

So rest up friend and know we appreciate your effort.

Don't forget to drink lots of orange juice :)

[Lisa0825]

20. My pleasure!

I've got excellent, easy to stick veins, and it's really not painful for me, so I figure it's a very easy way to do something good for someone else.

Tonight I'll be taking it easy and indulging in some favorite foods to reward myself:-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. Hey Lisa,

Good for you! I'm newly retired from the Red Cross, and I applaud you for your donation! I was an apheresis nurse, and tomorrow I'm going in for one last donation before I leave on my trip.

Whole blood donations are down in the summer, and here in SoCal, they are down all the time...I hope all elegible SoCal DU'ers will try to get in to their nearest Red Cross site and give a pint...It helps so much!

:woohoo:

:yourock:

[Gelliebeans]

21. Hey Peggy

hope you won't be gone long, we will miss ya tons :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. Awwwwww, Gelliebeans!

We'll be gone 3 weeks...I'm going to have a farewell thread Wednesday PM to scare the shit out of everybody!

You are too sweet! I'm sure looking forward to meeting you soon...

:pals:


:hug:

[Lisa0825]

23. Have a great time on your trip!!!

:party:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Thanks! That's guaranteed!

[Blue Gardener]

25. Just donated Friday

Piece of cake.

[Lisa0825]

26. Thanks

Thanks for the kick!:-)

:kick: