ih8thegop reminds you: GIVE BLOOD if you're eligible

[UrbScotty]

This is the time of year when blood banks run low.

If you haven't donated blood since November 12, please do so tomorrow or ASAP.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. Can't

I had hepatitis

[Cobalt Violet]

2. Can't

I have hepatitis.

[EstimatedProphet]

22. Which one?

[Cobalt Violet]

23. C

[EstimatedProphet]

24. Oh my god I'm sorry.

I've had A and B, I hope I never come down with C

[Cobalt Violet]

25. I hope you don't get it either.

What's scary is that 40% of people who have gotten it don't fit into any risk group. That's a lot of people.

[LeftyMom]

3. Once my sinus infection clears up

I'm an HLA donor so I try to get in regularly.

[DS1]

4. Can't

I have mad cow

[EstimatedProphet]

5. At least you don't have hepatitis

[UrbScotty]

6. Three people in a row with the SAME header

I smell rats.

[DS1]

7. Hey, it means we tried.

dick. :D

[Cobalt Violet]

8. I wish I was just joking.

[aclog]

9. Ummm, ok, forgive me but...

In HS, I heard that the Blood Mobile asked embarrassing questions before they let you donate.

Sorry, I've never tried to donate before and the only time I thought about it was when I heard that the bums did it for quick cash. And maybe the episode where Al Bundy donated half his blood supply...

So, can someone can tell me the drill?

Sorry I'm dumb :(

[LeftyMom]

10. Embrassing questions?

They ask if you've ever had sex with a man who has sex with men, if you've ever had sex for drugs or money, if you've ever had with a cow with BSE while in Europe getting a tatoo, etc.

They're very professional about it and they do it behind closed doors, so if you're not eligible to donate nobody's going to know why.

[eyesroll]

11. True -- and plenty of people get deferred for non-embarassing things, so

if you emerge from the center without the "I gave blood" sticker, there isn't an automatic assumption you've shot up drugs with a prostitute or something. Out of the several times I've tried to donate, I've been able to do so twice. I was deferred for weight (once, in high school -- I'm in no danger of that now), low iron, low blood pressure and travel to a malarial area. I'm actively sick right now, so I shouldn't try until I feel better.

(I should add, though, if you give at a drive, it's not exactly private, but you also can cancel your donation quietly if you don't feel comfortable admitting to something out loud.)

Some of the rules are dumb and outdated, though, because they address orientation-related behavior rather than, well, dangerous vs. not dangerous behavior. As a woman, I could have unprotected sex with a different man every night, and as long as I didn't ask my partners enough questions to find out whether they were bisexual or drug users or what have you, I could donate blood. But two men who've been in a monogamous relationship since 1962 can't give blood.

[Skittles]

28. I routinely get rejected for low iron

I just load up on meat and greens and try again :)

[Coastie for Truth]

33. In our malpractice litigation happy land where everybody sues everybody

the reason for the

Some of the rules are dumb and outdated, though, because they address orientation-related behavior rather than, well, dangerous vs. not dangerous behavior. As a woman, I could have unprotected sex with a different man every night, and as long as I didn't ask my partners enough questions to find out whether they were bisexual or drug users or what have you, I could donate blood. But two men who've been in a monogamous relationship since 1962 can't give blood.

is cause their liability insuror and their liability insuror's LAWYERS make those rules part of their liability insurance policy.

Have you ever been in business and dealt with your insurance company after a claim?

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. In 1983 I was asked if I had GRID.*

At a Baptist college blood drive, I was asked about sexually transmitted diseases. That was embarrassing, but today it wouldn't be.

Still, the Red Cross forbids any man from donating blood who has ever had same-sex sex. (Unless they've changed that rule in the last year.)

* That's what they called AIDS in the very beginning. It stood for Gay Related Immunodeficiency. I am not kidding.

[LeftyMom]

15. That was still true last time I donated

I don't fucking get it- hetero people have HIV too and everybody's blood gets tested, so what the hell is the point of that?

It pisses me off, but I don't know what to do about it. I don't want somebody to go without blood (and as an HLA donor my blood is usually given to very sick people who need a really close match after repeat transfusions) but I feel like donating under the current system helps to perpetuate it.

[bertha katzenengel]

16. I wonder: If I could give blood, would I, in a Red Cross drive?

Probably not. Either way, I feel I need to write to them about this ridiculous policy. It makes me mad, too.

Sigh.

[KitchenWitch]

12. I would if I could

I had lymphoma so I am a permanent ban. Too bad, too, I have a rare blood type.

[bertha katzenengel]

13. And here's a little public service announcement from the ineligible:

Reminders are great, and good on ya, ih8, for posting this. You clearly know the rule:

Do not rudely pester anyone who says s/he cannot give blood.

It can be embarrassing, especially if we're pestered to the point of revealing why we cannot -- not won't; CANNOT -- give. It's not about fear of needles.

Oh, BTW -- the embarrassment will be the pesterer's, not the pesteree's. ;)

Thank you. :)

[UrbScotty]

17. Good on ya, bk

You clearly know the rule:

You shall notice the fact that I said "IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE."

Thank you. }(

[bertha katzenengel]

19. I once almost told a phone solicitor -- shortly after

I learned I have HCV -- "tell you what, sweetie, you take my blood, then stick yourself w/ the needle, and in a few months you'll know why I kept telling you no." :mad:

Bad, yes, very bad. It was a bad time.

Sigh.

[LeftyMom]

20. Good point

After all, giving blood is a medical thing. Whether a person didn't donate because of a phobia of needles or doctors and health care in general (a very real and scary issue for some people that has real adverse effects on thier health and lives) because they didn't eat breakfast, thier iron was a point too low or they've got some dread and exotic disease, it's a medical issue and absolutely nobody's business.

The nice thing is that if you can't donate, your're still welcome to juice and snacks. :)

[Ksec]

18. OK I will

but they better be gentle.

[LostinVA]

21. Can't -- exposed to Mad Cow.... TWICE

[Vektor]

36. MAD COW?!?!

I was once exposed to a slightly irritated cow, but I escaped without incident.

[politicat]

26. Did on Dec 14.

I'm scheduled again for Feb 15. And DH goes every 4 weeks (he has hemochomotosis, and that's the standard treatment.)

[Skittles]

27. I have 16 gallons donated in just the Dallas area alone

they just love that O negative stuff :D

[auntAgonist]

29. lordy, I went to give blood on thursday at work..

my iron 'test' wouldn't sink so they put a drop of my blood in the centrifuge thingy ... registered a 39, that was ok, 38 is acceptable. I'm just 9 months from having had major surgery and I've lost 140lbs, giving blood was NOT a smart thing to do. I felt faint and weak all night last night, and shakey today, I'm better now though..

Dr said I shouldn't have tried :( but I always give blood .. It is important.


very important!

[SOteric]

30. Apparently I don't weigh enough.

:shrug:

[UrbScotty]

31. 110 pounds is the minimum around here (nt)

[SOteric]

32. Yes. Here too.

[TimeChaser]

34. Sorry

I have low iron, but I tried giving blood twice anyways (I was boarderline on what they allow). Both times I ended up sick and nearly passed out. The second time I ended up in the hospital getting fluids put back into me.

Sorry, I tried.

[UrbScotty]

40. Well if you can't do it, you can't do it

The first time I donated I had a bad reaction. The nurse said it would be okay for me not to do it again. But I did anyway.

[tjwmason]

35. I'm afraid I can't.

I've given several times in the past, but am no longer eligible. I'd give again if they change the rules.

Here's the current blood stock for England and Wales.

[Vektor]

37. I would love to, but I'm too small.

Those haters don't want my perfectly healthy B+ blood because I am under 110 pounds!

Hmph!

[XemaSab]

38. I'd like to, but the one time I gave I almost passed out the next day

I was leading a bird walk and I felt like I was either about to barf or faint... I felt the Black Tunnel come over my vision, and my hearing blanked out for a few minutes.

I sat down for a while until I felt better, and went home and ate a huge, greasy, protein laden meal.

I've got VERY low blood pressure (so low that I've been told by nurses that they couldn't legally let me go unless it went up), and I think giving blood just pushed it right over the edge.

Otherwise I'd totally do it.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

39. Wish I could, but can't.

Low iron, for one reason...

Also- my veins collapse/ blow at the drop of a hat. (If/When you find one that is actually viable to attempt blood collection in the first place.)
When I need to have blood drawn at the doctor's office, I know that I'm going to have a vast string of bruises down my arms for the next couple of days.